BAD Reads
Enlighten the Gentiles #30: I'm So Farschimmelt, I Forgot To Say Happy Birthday to the Alteh Kocker, Or Happy Belated Birthday,Daddy
Between running SC to the dentist, running the car in for repairs, running around the house getting stuff together for the consignment sale and then running it out there, PLUS the usual stuff at home and work, I've been in constant motion. And like Alice, I feel as if I've been just running to stay in the same place!
Meanwhile the pollen count for trees is over 2000. Yes, you read that:TWO THOUSAND. And if there is ANY readable pollen out there, I'm in trouble. Two thousand is all but putting me under the table.
Which brings me to the wonderful Yiddish word farshimmelt. Or fershimmelt, because the way I always heard it pronounced as "fur-shim-melt" or "fur-shim-meld".
I was startled to find that it actually translates to "moldy" or "rotten", because I have always heard it used in the context of someone being confused or mixed-up. Apparently, the implication is that you've got fungus on the brain, or that your mind is rotting. Feh....
And I have been truly farshimmelt this week because I have not yet written a tribute to my papa on his (!) 86th birthday. Which brings me to the term alter (or alta) kocker.
It is pronounced "ahll-ta kock-ah" and literally translates to "old pooper" or "old farter". "Old Fart" is probably the equivalent in English. The term is usually affectionate.
Somehow though, I don't think of my father as an alteh cockeh. Yes, he's 86 and can be a bit of a crank. But he was just as much of a crank 20 years ago--it's just part of his nature.That wonderful, very Yiddish, sarcastic sense of humor he gifted me with is still intact.
But although he is sarcastic about the world,about politics and consumer ripoffs and the tribulations of aging, he is a marshmallow inside. He is a total pushover for his grandchildren--especially his granddaughters. He adores my mother. I noticed she is listed in his cell phone contact list as "Sweet Sue". And they're coming up on their 47th wedding anniversary. Now THAT's true love!
He's my dad. And I feel so lucky to have him still here with us, even when he does act like an alta kocker!
Happy Birthday, Daddy.
And until next time, to all of you: abei gezunt--stay healthy!
