Definition

1. Noun:
   • A resort area in the Catskill Mountains of New York, historically patronized primarily by Jewish guests: The term refers to a specific geographic and cultural region known for its hotels and entertainment venues that catered to a predominantly Jewish clientele, especially during the mid-20th century.
   • The circuit of hotels and nightclubs in this region: It can also refer to the network of entertainment venues within this area where performers, particularly comedians, would regularly work.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • My grandparents spent their summers in the borsht belt, enjoying the comedians and the fresh mountain air.
  • Many famous comedians started their careers by performing on the borsht belt circuit.

Advanced Usage

• "the borscht circuit": A common variant spelling ("borscht") used synonymously to refer to the same resort area and its entertainment venues.
  • He honed his act by playing clubs on the borscht circuit for years.

Variants and Related Words

• Borscht belt (n): An alternative spelling of the term.
• Borscht circuit (n): A closely related term emphasizing the network of performance venues within the region.

Synonyms

• Catskill resorts: A more general, descriptive term for the area.
• Jewish Alps (informal, historical): A colloquial nickname for the region.

Related Idioms

• "Playing the borscht circuit": The act of performing at various venues in this region, often used to describe the early career phase of entertainers.
  • Before he was on television, he was playing the borscht circuit every summer.

Noun

1. (informal) a resort area in the Catskill Mountains of New York that was patronized primarily by Jewish guests
   • many comedians learned their trade playing the borscht circuit