Oct 26, 2010
Ten-Word Tuesday: Let’s Play Mensch, Not A Mensch
The other day that was actually a week or maybe even months, Bossy’s mom described someone as a mensch. Bossy’s daughter, who has heard this word for all of the fourteen years of her life because she is a nice Jewish girl hold approximately half of the Jewish, responded, “What exactly is a mensch?”
Now understand, Bossy’s mom comes from a long line of excellent definers of words, along the lines of, “You know! Mensch! Like, to be a mensch! Mensch!” But in this case, Bossy’s mom attempted to define the word by providing examples. This was her first:
“Santa is a mensch,” Bossy’s mom began. “He’s warm and generous and kind, with unflagging character.”
Next to appear on Bossy’s mom’s mensch list was him:
He’s Tevye from Fiddler on the Roof, but you would know him better as Mensch. And next Bossy’s mom referenced Marv.
And then Bossy’s mom explained to Bossy’s daughter that character and generosity and kindness alone don’t make a mensch. As an example, Bossy’s mom suggested that although Bossy’s brother is all of these things and more, he wouldn’t universally be described as mensch material.
In this case of Bossy’s brother, Bossy’s mom wondered aloud if girth, and maybe even a beard, were mandatory in order to be a mensch.
So then Bossy’s mom considered whether being Jewish was a critical component to being a mensch.
Bossy can sum up her understanding of the word mensch in this way: Can’t define it, can spot one from afar. Hi Dad!
Which is what today’s Ten-Word Challenge is all about. In exactly ten words, can you provide Bossy with examples of who qualifies as a mensch, or what the word means to you?
And tomorrow Bossy will post all of those suggestions here and we can all play Mensch/Not A Mensch!
Who has more fun than Bossy’s esteemed council?
Mensch- Someone who is giving beyond reasonable expectation. Altruistic. Overly Kind.
–>Mel Gibson is definitely not a mensch.
Next-door neighbor growing up: Ugly outside; immense, awesome heart.
Caring, considerate, thoughtful, welcoming, generous, not mean-spirited. My Dad too.
(And Bossy’s bro ain’t far off)
Bestowing mensch titles to dad, hubby, three sons, two daughters.
(Too funny, WebSavvyMom)!
Mensch = person so kind, giving, thoughtful we all hate them.
My Boss = weighs 350 pounds. Has a heart of gold.
Ed Asner as Carl Frederickson in Up, who becomes one.
Here’s a non-jew….Shelby Foote. So it can happen.
Marvs’ Josh said “Marv is like your favorite old flannel shirt.”
Mensch – a german word that means, literally, “a person”. Not what you were looking for though. Sorry.
Tea and toast. Quilt on couch. Me and Mum.Sick.
Tea and toast. Quilt on couch. Me and daughter. Sick.
buckle your seat-belt button your coat wear your hat
I want to be adopted by Marv, let him know.
May I have your mother’s phone number. Santa a mensch? “He sees you when you’re sleeping? He knows when you’re awake? He makes lists of the good and bad kids?”
No way!
LOL, @Neil, when you put it that way, Santa sounds like quite a perve!
I think this head cold has liquified my brain because when I first saw the word “mensch” I thought the post was going to be about Edvard Munch, you know, the guy who painted “The Scream”? He’s not a mensch, is he? I’m so confused.
Hmm, old boss, heart of gold, nicknamed Freddie “The Wheel”.
My own dear husband, the best man in the world.
um…Mensch…never heard of the word (sorry not a good Jewish girl)
I think the guy that sounds like Cookie Monster on the show The Office is a Mensch.
By this criteria, Bill Gates is a mensch. But is he?
Paul Newman – good husband, good at his work, great philanthropist
By this criteria, Jimmy Carter is a mensch, but is he?
@BOSSY – Jimmy yes Bill no. Although, Jimmy has a touch of the nebbish as well.
Sorry – more so in his earlier days, I think Jimmy’s “menschness” has grown over the years!
Mensch = my husband. Really it says so in print. On my blog. um ….. but it’s true anyway.
Ok number 11 obviously you’ve never heard “he’s such a person said in a proper Jewish accent or you’d know that that’s exactly right!
In German Mensch is a human; in English you love them for their extra human warmth.
The first German word I ever looked up. Just now.
Agreed with Bossy’s Mom. Topol is poster mensch. Must squeeze.
Walks/ walk, talks/ talk, makes you want to listen too.
My dear Pops. In all its Yiddish sense, except Irish.
Honestly I’ve never heard of the word. I don’t think.
Course, it’s possible I have forgotten. Extremely possible. Thanks, Perimenopause.
Sorry– Irish Catholic girl never heard the word. Learning lots!
Husband puts twenties in my bag .For emergencies. Never know.
Tim Russert, Joy Behar, Lewis Black, Carl Reiner, Mother Teresa.
Jimmy Carter is one. So is FDR. And his Eleanor.
Harvey Milk was Prince Mensch and he was incredibly skinny.
Inventors of chocolate and peanut butter, combined–one great mensch.
Oprah?
Also: my grandmother. And probably lots of people’s grandmothers.
Before this post, would have been offended if called a Mensch.
My dad’s Uncle Walter. Thin as a rail. Parkinson’s disease. Kind, loving, great gardener.
So, what is a female Mensch called????
What-a-guy. Give you the shirt off his back!
Gramps: a Menschette? (Like female sherpas are sherpettes. A friend and I coined that one.)
[disregarding the 10 word dictum here, so taken by Gramps's question]
My white-bread upbringing is showing. Vague idea, no real-life specifics.
A mensch, while warm, expansive, probably pretty savvy as well?
(#21’s comment, “the guy that sounds like Cookie Monster on the show The Office” cracked me up. Because I know which one that guy is, and never realized that’s who he sounds like. Even though I somehow doubt his menschishness, if my definition above is right. Is it?)
Joy Behar? Really???? She’s one of the meanest women on the planet!
“Mensches will always do the right thing, despite personal sacrifice.”
would love to see dgm’s so-cal version vs Bossy’s mom’s
Previous priests at church = the menschiest. Now — not so much.
My personal definition is “Everything is done for his family”
My friend Suzy with an MBA who left her job to devote her life to philanthropy.
Not a mensch — an old cheating boyfriend who is not worth the type with which I am using.
My Bubie was also a mensch. She always sent a donation check whenever she read an obituary that spoke to her, even if she did not know the person. That is to say she’d be like, “He sounded like a real mensch and benefit to his community and family. It says American Diabetes Association Donations. I’ll send a $10 check in his honor.”
Paulette fits the Mensch bill, I stand corrected on sexism.
Can’t stand Joy Behar. Not feeling Oprah as mensch either. Mel Gibson as the opposite as suggested earlier….LOVE IT!!!!
Papa Elf in the movie Elf = Mensch. I have one friend I’d consider a mensch….owns an insurance co, was single forever, and finally met/married a beautiful woman from Italy; she came here to be with him. Generous as the day is long, but doesn’t broadcast it. Mensch.