tchotchke
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- An inexpensive, showy trinket or knickknack: A small, decorative object, often mass-produced and of little monetary value, kept for ornament or souvenir.
- (Archaic/Slang) An attractive, unconventional woman: A dated, informal, and sometimes objectifying term for a woman who is considered stylishly attractive in a non-traditional way.
Usage Examples
Noun (Trinket): The shelves were cluttered with little tchotchkes from their travels.She brought back a few ceramic tchotchkes as souvenirs from the gift shop.
Noun (Woman - Archaic): In some old stories, the artist was always surrounded by beautiful tchotchkes. (Note: This usage is now rare and can be considered offensive.)
Advanced Usage
"Tchotchke-filled" (adj): Describing a space overly full of small ornaments. Her apartment had a tchotchke-filled, cozy feel.
Cultural Connotation: The word often carries a slightly dismissive or affectionate tone regarding items perceived as clutter or kitsch, reflecting their decorative rather than functional purpose.
Variants and Related Words
- Tchotchkeleh (n): A Yiddish diminutive form, meaning a small tchotchke.
- Knickknack (n): A close synonym for the primary meaning.
- Bauble (n): A small, showy ornament.
- Trinket (n): A small ornament or item of jewelry.
Synonyms
- For the object: Knickknack, bauble, gewgaw, trinket, ornament, bibelot.
- For the archaic meaning: (Stylish) woman, doll (slang, also dated).
Related Phrases
- "Tchotchke shop": A store selling inexpensive souvenirs and decorative items.
Notes on Usage
- The word is borrowed from Yiddish (צאַטשקע ).
- The primary and most common contemporary meaning refers to a small decorative object. The secondary meaning referring to a person is largely obsolete and its use is discouraged.
- It is often used in a mildly pejorative or humorous way to describe items of sentimental but not high monetary value.
Noun
- (Yiddish) an inexpensive showy trinket
- (Yiddish) an attractive, unconventional woman