Basque butterflies

[Jim Rader]

Sorry, but just about everything in this statement  is inaccurate.
The word in question is Eastern Yiddish <shmok>, without vowel
variation between dialects, which is a pretty good indication it is
not part of the Germanic component of Yiddish.  German <Schmuck> in
the sense "ornament" is borrowed from Low German and did not become
general until Fruehneuhochdeutsch.  It has no counterpart in Yiddish.
The Germanic component of Yiddish is based largely on Rhenish
dialects of Middle High German.  With the eastward migrations of Jews
from western Germany in the 14th and 15th centuries contact between
Eastern Yiddish dialects and German was virtually severed.  It is not
sound etymologizing to equate Yiddish words directly with modern
German words.

The actual origin of Eastern Yiddish <shmok>, a vulgar word for
"penis," has been much debated.

Jim Rader

> 	It might work, given that Spanish bicho also means "pecker" --like
> Yiddish schmuck < German schmuck "jewel".
> 	In [Brazilian] Portuguese, it's also acquired the meaning "sissy,
> pansy" [i.e. "effeminate"]

> Rick Mc Callister
> W-1634
> Mississippi University for Women
> Columbus MS 39701