Glossary
This glossary includes helpful vocabulary and cultural references that will deepen your understanding of Falsettos.
| WORD/PHRASE | DEFINITION |
|---|---|
| A priori | (adj) A Latin phrase meaning “from what is earlier.” If something is a priori, it can be known by reasoning based on what is self-evident; usually used in philosophy |
| Apoplexy | (n) Sudden stroke symptoms; the appearance of speechlessness due to extreme anger |
| Bris | (n) A Jewish circumcision ceremony |
| Canadelach | (n) Matzoh balls, which are Ashkenazi soup dumplings whose primary ingredients are matzoh meal and egg (commonly Knedelach) |
| Canasta | (n) A card game using two decks |
| Chicken Marengo | (n) A French dish that traditionally consists of chicken sauteed with garlic and tomato, topped with fried crayfish and eggs, but typical modern variations leave out the latter two ingredients and include mushrooms. |
| Copacetic | (adj) Satisfactory; in excellent order |
| Croup | (n) A virus common in babies and toddlers that causes difficulty breathing and a barking cough |
| Dietetic | (adj) Relating to diet and nutrition |
| Dink | (n) A jerk or a nerd |
| Exorbitant | (adj) Unreasonably excessive |
| Gefilte fish | (n) A poached white fish, traditional in Jewish cuisine |
| Hepatitis | (n) Inflammation of the liver. It can be viral but has other causes. There are 5 viruses that cause hepatitis: A, B, C, D, and E. Hepatitis B can be transmitted via bodily fluids and is a chronic disorder. Hepatitis C is transmitted via blood. It’s rarely transmitted sexually, and when it is, it is typically through anal intercourse. Hepatitis C rates peaked in the 1970s and 80s. |
| Internist | (n) A doctor of internal medicine. Internists must have broad knowledge of medicine, as their practice involves both acute and preventative care regarding conditions that impact internal organs. Internists only treat adults. Some focus on a subspecialty. Some work in office or clinic settings, while some work in hospitals. |
| Jaw | (v) To talk/chatter at length |
| Knish | (n) A filled dumpling that is either baked or fried (from Yiddish) |
| Lout | (n) A loud and unrefined person |
| Morass | (n) A confusing mixture; a situation that impedes or confuses |
| Nouvelle | (adj) “New” in French. The relevant use is “nouvelle cuisine,” a French approach to cooking and presentation that seeks to reduce over complication in cooking, emphasizing fresh seasonal produce and light sauces. It is highly focused on presentation. It was popularized in the 1960s. |
| Radiologist | (n) A doctor whose practice focuses on the use of medical imaging like MRIs, CT scans, PET scans, ultrasounds, and more. Some are diagnostic radiologists and focus on the reading and interpretation of imaging – others also treat patients with guidance from the imaging. |
| Roundelay | (n) A simple song with a refrain |
| Rugelach | (n) A pastry that is often rolled around a filling |
| Schmo | (n) An ordinary person; a stupid person or a jerk |
| Shiksa | (n) A gentile (non-Jewish) woman or girl (traditionally disparaging) |
| Syphilis | (n) A bacterial sexually transmitted infection that causes sores. It is spread through contact with the sores. Bacteria can live in the body for long periods of time without causing symptoms. Without treatment, it can lead to severe damage to the heart, brain, and other major organs. In the 1970s, the percentage of men diagnosed with syphilis who reported having (a) male sexual partner(s) increased. |
| Spiky | (adj) Easily annoyed or offended or acerbic/irritating in temper or manner |
| Yuppie | (n) A young, well-paid, highly-educated professional living in the city; may be uptight or nerdy |