bupkis

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English[edit]

Alternative forms[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Borrowed from Yiddish באָבקעס(bobkes), plural of באָבקע(bobke, goat or sheep dropping), from באָב(bob, bean) +‎ ־קע(-ke) calquing Polish bobek (oval-shaped turd), ultimately from Proto-Slavic *bobъ (bean, fava bean).

Pronunciation[edit]

  • IPA(key): /ˈbʌp.kɪs/
  • (file)
  • (Yiddish-influenced) IPA(key): /ˈbɔp.kɪs/

Noun[edit]

bupkis (uncountable)

  1. (US, slang) Absolutely nothing; nothing of value, significance, or substance.
    Synonyms: zilch; see also Thesaurus:nothing
    We searched for hours and found bupkis.
    • 1997, “Drinking in L.A.”, performed by Bran Van 3000:
      But we did nothing, absolutely bupkis that day / And I say, what the hell am I doing drinking in L.A. at 26?
    • 2022 April 20, John Leland, quoting Robin Solod, “How Loneliness Is Damaging Our Health”, in The New York Times[1], →ISSN:
      She answered her own question. “Without the connection to other people,” she said, “you have bupkis.”

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