Make Your Point > Archived Issues > CHUTZPAH

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connect today's word to others: We got today's word chutzpah from Yiddish, which also gave us n___ish, a noun for people who are so shy and timid that they seem dumb and useless. What those n___ishes need is some chutzpah: some guts, gall, nerve, boldness, audacity, or eff____ery (bold, in-your-face rudeness). (To reveal any word with blanks, give it a click.) make your point with... "CHUTZPAH" Chutzpah is gutsy, shocking, self-confident boldness. Pronunciation: Rhymes with "foot spa:" "HOOT spa" (or "HOOT spuh"). Part of speech: Noun, the uncountable kind ("his chutzpah," "the chutzpah," "some chutzpah," "a lack of chutzpah"). Other forms: none How to use it: Is chutzpah a good or a bad quality? Both: it depends on the situation, and on who's judging. Although you might admire and appreciate someone's chutzpah, you might instead find it rude, shocking, or even criminal. Hear how "chutzpah" actually sounds like a shocked exhalation? "HHhh! I can't believe he did that!" "HHhh! Can you believe she just said that?" "The HHhhutzpah!" For that reason, and because "chutzpah" sounds decisively Yiddish, it's perfect for emphasis. It says to your listeners, "English words alone would fail to describe this person's unbelievable gall." So, talk about someone's chutzpah, someone having or showing chutzpah, someone doing or saying something with chutzpah, someone having the chutzpah to do something, etc. examples: When Katniss gets angry at the Gamemakers and shoots an arrow toward their buffet table, she regrets it and fears their retribution--but they give her a high score, impressed by her chutzpah. "All that was needed was a manager with a never-ending supply of chutzpah, a shameless promoter who was also a knowing musician and master professional."    — Mark Swed, The Los Angeles Times, 20 September 2018 study it: Explain the meaning of "chutzpah" without saying "nerve" or "impudence." try it out: Fill in the blank: "It takes chutzpah to _____." Example: "It takes chutzpah to lie this blatantly on a resume." before you review, play: Spend 20 seconds or more on the game below. Don’t skip straight to the review—let your working memory empty out first. Our game this month is "Inspired by, but in no way associated with, Jeopardy!" In each issue, I'll create three "answers" for you, and you supply the "questions." (That is, you'll respond in the form of a question, like "What is...?" or "Who is...?") From the previous issue: 1. Category: Inconsonant. Answer: Often cited as a humorously long word, this is the belief that the Church of England should not be dissolved: AIIEAIEAIAI. Question: What is antidisestablishmentarianism? 2. Category: Bombastic Bywords. Answer: It's a spectacle for afflicted optical organs. Question: What is a sight for sore eyes? 3. Category: Same Name. Answer: Supermarket chain in Missouri, Legally Blonde lead Elle, athlete Tiger. Question: What is Woods? Try these today: 1. Category: Bombastic Bywords. Answer: It's exultant as a bivalve shell-fish at a period of marinal zenith. 2. Category: Same Name. Answer: Deciduous hardwood tree popular for making affordable furniture, monthly subscription service for this "box" of beauty samples, actor Paul, actress Thora.  3. Category: Before & After. Answer: Enjoyed on the slide and the monkey bars, it's minced red meat. review today's word: 1. A close opposite of CHUTZPAH is A. WISDOM. B. RESTRAINT. C. PERSUASION. 2. After breaking her ankle while stealing packages from a neighbor's icy porch, she had the chutzpah to _____. A. sue the neighbor B. limp away in silence C. drop the packages and call for help Answers are below. a final word: Make Your Point is crafted with love and brought to you each weekday morning by Liesl Johnson, a reading and writing tutor on a mission to explore, illuminate, and celebrate words. From Liesl's blog:    36 ways to study words.    Why we forget words, & how to remember them.    How to use sophisticated words without being awkward. To be a sponsor and include your ad in an issue, please contact me at Liesl@HiloTutor.com. Disclaimer: When I write definitions, I use plain language and stick to the words' common, useful applications. If you're interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words, I encourage you to check a dictionary. Also, because I'm American, I stick to American English when I share words' meanings, usage, and pronunciations; these elements sometimes vary across world Englishes. Answers to review questions: 1. B 2. A