Neil--I have copied your list and plan to use your terms--what fun! We have "twerp" here in the states, but we don't have the rest.

Neil, thanks for those definitions! And all this time she's claimed it a term of endearment, as it was such an attractive bird....

Amy,
Way to whip out the Monty Python quote!
I think that this world would be a better place if everyone found a way to incorporate at least one M.P. quote into conversation every day!

"Putz" is also the Moravian word for creche or Nativity scene.

During the Christmas holiday season, it is quite common to ask people if they want to see your putz or if they have a putz this year.

In Bethlehem, Pennsylvania,which has Moravian heritage, there is a kind of festival of putzes, with a big putz right in the middle of town for all to venerate.

Possible the one who mentioned putz first has never seen one, thus is confused.

elle, that is funny ~
I went to a Christmas candlelight service in a Moravian church years ago, we were all given small beeswax candles, it smelled so good when they were all lit..the beautiful lights that look like stars..very peaceful and nice.
Obviously, putz has an altogether different meaning in Yiddish, chuckling, and on Fodors, sometimes all one has to do is look around the boards and they will see one, oops, Smiles has de-registered again, so maybe we won't see that one again!

As a lifelong Moravian from the Bethlehem area, the putz is something we looked forward to each year. Here is an explanation of the putz from the Main Street Moravian web site (www.mainstreetmoravian.com):

A "putz" is a scene using figures (usually smaller than life) and landscaping props to depict the story of Jesus' birth. The word putz comes from the German word putzen which means to decorate or clean. A putz is usually more than a simple manger scene; it can fill a whole room, though most are more modest. Isaiah's prophecy; the annunciation to Mary; Joseph's dream; Mary's visit to her cousin Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist; the journey to Bethlehem; the family in the stable, with the baby Jesus in the feedbox; the annunciation to the shepherds; the visit of the magi from the east; and the flight into Egypt are all scenes which may be included in a putz. One of the traditional ways the putz is displayed is to illuminate each scene separately as the verses of scripture to which the scene corresponds are read aloud.

The putz can be seen in Bethlehem at the Christian Education Buidling of Central Moravian Church.

Scarlett, I'm glad you enjoyed the Moravian Christmas eve service! I always enjoyed helping "dress" the candles (putting the red paper around them), serving as a diener (handing out the candles at Christmas Eve and also handing out the buns and beverages during the Love Feast) and still remember my stint as the Morning Star soloist many (!!) years ago.

I love the Moravian cookies. I'm not sure if they have a special name or not. They taste like ginger snaps but are thinner. I've purchased them in both Bethlehem and Winston-Salem.

Hi elle,

>"Putz" is also the Moravian word for creche or Nativity scene.<

Thank you elle.

Apparently this is meaning "comes from the German verb (PUTZEN) which means in this context "to decorate or adorn", which is probably accounts for it's use in Yiddish; like "schmuck" (jewelry) it is a nicer way to say it.

ah, the putz poster appeareth, lol.

Actually, no, mark.

I responded to someone else.

lol, THE putz poster, ira. Get with it!

smilingstill, markbittman, whatever, putz applies in this case perfectly.

BTilke, the Moravian church that we went to was very pretty also. A small chapel all made of stone, this was in North Carolina. I have not been to one since, but always remember that service.

And then there's the joke that ends, "Get a load of that schmuck on the camel!"

Unfortunately, I can't remember the rest of the joke, but there's the punchline, should you ever need it.