bupkis

English

Alternative forms

bobkes, bopkes, bubkes, bupkes, bupkiss, bupkus

Etymology

From Yiddish באָבקעס (bobkes, “(large) beans”), from קאָזעבאָפּקעס (kozebopkes, “goat droppings”), from Proto-Slavic *koza (“goat”), and diminutive of Proto-Slavic *bobъ (bob, “bean”).

Pronunciation

(US) IPA: /ˈbʌp.kɪs/, (US, Yiddishesque) IPA: /ˈbɔp.kis/

Noun

bupkis (uncountable)

absolutely nothing; nothing of value, significance, or substance
We searched for hours and found bupkis.

Usage notes

Often translated as meaning small round fecal pellets, referring to the shape of goat droppings. A colorful usage, though more emphatic expression (in Yiddish more so than in English) is "Bupkis mit Kuduchas" (באָבקעס מיט קודוצ׳ה), translating roughly to "shivering shit balls" - kuduchas referring to the condition of generalized shaking palsy.