Schmutz & Schmalz (1797)

[James A. Landau]

In a message dated 03/23/2002 7:28:09 PM Eastern Standard Time,
Bapopik at AOL.COM writes:

> Pg. 116:  Every one occupying a whole farm, must annually present his
> landlord with two chickens, two capons, twelve eggs, half a _mass_ (about a
> pound) of _schmalz_ (butter that has been melted)...
>  (OED has 1935 for "schmalz"--ed.)
>
>  Pg. 122:  ...schmalz (melted butter)...

Interesting that in Yiddish "schmaltz" means "chicken fat", which is fleishig
(meat), whereas the 1797 writer you quote, presumably a Gentile, uses
"schmalz" for melted butter, which is milchig (dairy).

It would appear that German "schmalz" and Yiddish "schmaltz" are NOT
synonyms, as they have managed to come down on opposite sides of the
meat/dairy mechitza.


In a message dated 03/23/2002 9:03:04 PM Eastern Standard Time,
Bapopik at AOL.COM writes:

> Pg. 123:  ...Neufchatel...
>  (OED has 1865 for the cheese, but here it's a wine--ed.)

Napoleon gave his major-general de logis (chief of staff) Marshal Berthier
the title of "Prince de Neuchatel".  During the War of 1812 there was an
American privateer named  "Prince de Neufchatel".  I do not know if
"Neuchatel" and "Neufchatel" are the same name.

To stay with the Yiddish theme above, the captain of the  "Prince de
Neufchatel", John (Jean?) Ordronaux, was Jewish (French-born, naturalized
American citizen.)

                  - Jim Landau