kvetch
English edit
Alternative forms edit
Etymology edit
From Yiddish קוועטשן (kvetshn, literally “to squeeze, pinch”), from Middle High German quetschen (“crush, press”).
Pronunciation edit
Verb edit
kvetch (third-person singular simple present kvetches, present participle kvetching, simple past and past participle kvetched)
- To whine or complain, often needlessly and incessantly.
- 1969, Philip Roth, Portnoy’s Complaint:
- Is this truth I’m delivering up, or is it just plain kvetching? Or is kvetching for people like me a form of truth?
- 2001, Glen David Gold, Carter Beats the Devil:
- Make a commitment, Charlie. Go with life or go with death, but quit the kvetching. Don’t keep us all in suspense.
Derived terms edit
Translations edit
whine or complain, often needlessly and incessantly
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See also edit
Noun edit
kvetch (plural kvetches)
- A person who endlessly whines or complains; a person who finds fault with anything.
- An instance of kvetching; a complaint or whine.
Translations edit
person who endlessly whines or complains
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