nonkosher
Adjective: 1. Not conforming to dietary laws: Specifically, not prepared or handled according to the Jewish religious dietary laws (kashrut). This can refer to food itself, its ingredients, or the methods of its preparation and serving. 2. Figuratively, not legitimate or proper: Used informally to describe something that is considered questionable, unethical, or not acceptable according to a particular standard.
The term is used to describe food that is forbidden or not prepared in accordance with Jewish law. It is also used metaphorically in broader contexts.
Examples: * The restaurant served both kosher and nonkosher dishes, so we had to be careful with our order. * Mixing meat and dairy products in the same meal is considered nonkosher. * (Figurative) His business practices were widely regarded as nonkosher by industry ethics panels.
- "nonkosher kitchen": A kitchen where the rules of kashrut are not observed, meaning utensils and surfaces may have been in contact with both meat and dairy or with forbidden foods.
- "deemed nonkosher": Formally declared to be not in accordance with dietary law, often by a rabbinical authority.
- Kosher (adjective): Conforming to Jewish dietary law; (figuratively) legitimate, proper.
- Kashrut (noun): The body of Jewish law dealing with what foods can be eaten and how they must be prepared.
- Tref (adjective): Another term for non-kosher, often used in Yiddish-influenced English.
- Unclean (in the specific religious context)
- Forbidden (in the specific religious context)
- Improper
- Questionable
- Kosher
- Permissible
- Proper
The hyphenated form "non-kosher" is also common and acceptable. The term's figurative use derives directly from its primary religious meaning, implying something does not meet the required "code" or standard.
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not conforming to dietary laws
