Yoshke en · PROPN
Pronunciation
- /ˈjɔʃkə/
Etymology
Borrowed from Yiddish יאָשקע (yoshke), short for Yiddish יאָשקע פּאַנדרע (yoshke pandre, “Yoshke son of the soldier Pantera”), in turn derived from Yiddish יוסף (yosef, “Joseph”) as if it were a diminutive of ישו (yeshu, “Jesus Christ”). Pantera was claimed in some legends as the alleged Roman soldier who became the father of Jesus.
Meanings
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(Judaism, derogatory, euphemistic) Jesus
“And he’s not to mention Yoshke’s name once. If he does, we get up and leave.” / “He wants to know who Yoshke is.” Shoshanna giggled. / “I should teach him who Yoshke is? Yoshke, Yoisel, the guy on the cross, tell him.” / Very carefully, Shoshanna said, “Your gentleman on your cross.” She was afraid of saying Jesus.
1989, Rhoda Lerman, God’s Ear: A Novel: