# Need help with a Yiddishism **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 14, 2000, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-a-yiddishism/13764 "2000-02-14T15:07:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2000, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-a-yiddishism/13764/1 "2000-02-14T15:07:00Z")
I am writing a column wherein I want to use the word meaning “confused and mixed-up.” It’s pronounced “feh-CHA-ted,” but I have no idea how to spell it and obviously it’s not in Webster’s. Help! and Thanks! —Molly Goldberg ---
**Author:** ![rackensack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@rackensack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rackensack)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2000, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-a-yiddishism/13764/2 "2000-02-14T15:12:00Z")
How about: [Farchadat](http://www.koshernosh.com/feeling.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2000, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-a-yiddishism/13764/3 "2000-02-14T15:14:00Z")
You ought to invest in a copy of Leo Rosten’s JOYS OF YIDDISH. It’s “farchadat.” * * * Uke ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2000, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-a-yiddishism/13764/4 "2000-02-14T15:16:00Z")
“Farchadat” - pronounced as you describe. - Rick ---
**Author:** ![SwimmingRiddles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@SwimmingRiddles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SwimmingRiddles)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2000, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-a-yiddishism/13764/5 "2000-02-14T15:24:00Z")
My mother’s step-father was Jewish, which she claims gives her reason to be “culturally Jewish.” We have a much used and loved copy of the Joy of Yiddish. * * * Habit rules the unreflecting herd. - Wordsworth ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2000, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-a-yiddishism/13764/6 "2000-02-14T15:28:00Z")
THANK YOU, Rack, Ike and Brick! Now I can really say I log onto the SDMB for business reasons, I’m not just goofing off! Look for “farchadat” in the July Movieline, unless my goyishe editor cuts it . . . —Mrs. Yifnif ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2000, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-a-yiddishism/13764/7 "2000-02-14T15:49:00Z")
Man, I gotta be quicker on the trigger… three almost-simulposts, and I’m last. Rats. - Rick ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2000, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-a-yiddishism/13764/8 "2000-02-14T16:43:00Z")
So what are you reviewing this month Eve? Leni Riefenstahl’s _Triumph of the Will_? Oy, now there was one farchadat movie. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2000, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-a-yiddishism/13764/9 "2000-02-14T16:44:00Z")
Naw, it’s a compilation of “Bewitched” episodes—and “farchadat” is the only word you can use when talking about Aunt Clara. ---
**Author:** ![Bucky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Bucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bucky)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2000, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-a-yiddishism/13764/10 "2000-02-15T06:44:00Z")
What about pixilated (non-drunk or drunk sense), bemused, off-kilter, surreal, quintessentially eccentric, “out of focus”, or singularlity? (as in “Aunt Clara is a singularity, as inexplicable as a black hole.”) Bucky * * * Oh, well. We can always make more killbots.