Origin of the word “pushka”












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European Jews tend to use the word “pushka” for ‘charity box’. What is the origin of the word?



As far as I can tell, Slavic languages use somewhat similar sounding words for ‘container’. In particular, in Polish ‘puszka’ means ‘[tin/metal] container’. Perhaps it evolved from there being that coins deposited in such a container would jingle thereby calling attention for almsgiving.



I realize the above theory may be the origin but I’m curious if others agree or if there are other theories.










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2















European Jews tend to use the word “pushka” for ‘charity box’. What is the origin of the word?



As far as I can tell, Slavic languages use somewhat similar sounding words for ‘container’. In particular, in Polish ‘puszka’ means ‘[tin/metal] container’. Perhaps it evolved from there being that coins deposited in such a container would jingle thereby calling attention for almsgiving.



I realize the above theory may be the origin but I’m curious if others agree or if there are other theories.










share|improve this question

























  • Awesome question! +1

    – רבות מחשבות
    56 mins ago














2












2








2


1






European Jews tend to use the word “pushka” for ‘charity box’. What is the origin of the word?



As far as I can tell, Slavic languages use somewhat similar sounding words for ‘container’. In particular, in Polish ‘puszka’ means ‘[tin/metal] container’. Perhaps it evolved from there being that coins deposited in such a container would jingle thereby calling attention for almsgiving.



I realize the above theory may be the origin but I’m curious if others agree or if there are other theories.










share|improve this question
















European Jews tend to use the word “pushka” for ‘charity box’. What is the origin of the word?



As far as I can tell, Slavic languages use somewhat similar sounding words for ‘container’. In particular, in Polish ‘puszka’ means ‘[tin/metal] container’. Perhaps it evolved from there being that coins deposited in such a container would jingle thereby calling attention for almsgiving.



I realize the above theory may be the origin but I’m curious if others agree or if there are other theories.







sources-mekorot words tzedakah-charity language






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edited 47 mins ago









רבות מחשבות

14.3k126121




14.3k126121










asked 1 hour ago









OliverOliver

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  • Awesome question! +1

    – רבות מחשבות
    56 mins ago



















  • Awesome question! +1

    – רבות מחשבות
    56 mins ago

















Awesome question! +1

– רבות מחשבות
56 mins ago





Awesome question! +1

– רבות מחשבות
56 mins ago










1 Answer
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From Yiddish Word of the Week here:




Etymology: There seems to be a dispute about etymology here. Leo Rosten, in his Joys of Yiddish (p. 296; unfortunately not available online), argues that it derives from the Polish word for can, “puszka.” Thus, a pushke is simply “a little can or container kept in the home, often in the kitchen, in which money to be donated to a charity is accumulated.” While this would seem to be the simplest explanation, I am intrigued by another, which I found here: Apparently (at least according to the Jastrow dictionary), the Aramaic word pushka (פושקא) or (פושכא), means “handsbreadth, palm.” As such, the word, in its Yiddish context, refers to the stretching out of the hand to receive alms. When taken together, the two sources form a whole: One stretches out one’s pushka with a pushke in it in order to receive tzedoke.




Also, Shaul Stampfer agrees that it comes from the Polish, see here, footnote 1.






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  • Though it most definitely comes from the Polish word, the fact that an interesting chiddush can be made from the Aramaic word is awesome! +1

    – ezra
    9 mins ago



















1 Answer
1






active

oldest

votes








1 Answer
1






active

oldest

votes









active

oldest

votes






active

oldest

votes









3














From Yiddish Word of the Week here:




Etymology: There seems to be a dispute about etymology here. Leo Rosten, in his Joys of Yiddish (p. 296; unfortunately not available online), argues that it derives from the Polish word for can, “puszka.” Thus, a pushke is simply “a little can or container kept in the home, often in the kitchen, in which money to be donated to a charity is accumulated.” While this would seem to be the simplest explanation, I am intrigued by another, which I found here: Apparently (at least according to the Jastrow dictionary), the Aramaic word pushka (פושקא) or (פושכא), means “handsbreadth, palm.” As such, the word, in its Yiddish context, refers to the stretching out of the hand to receive alms. When taken together, the two sources form a whole: One stretches out one’s pushka with a pushke in it in order to receive tzedoke.




Also, Shaul Stampfer agrees that it comes from the Polish, see here, footnote 1.






share|improve this answer
























  • Though it most definitely comes from the Polish word, the fact that an interesting chiddush can be made from the Aramaic word is awesome! +1

    – ezra
    9 mins ago
















3














From Yiddish Word of the Week here:




Etymology: There seems to be a dispute about etymology here. Leo Rosten, in his Joys of Yiddish (p. 296; unfortunately not available online), argues that it derives from the Polish word for can, “puszka.” Thus, a pushke is simply “a little can or container kept in the home, often in the kitchen, in which money to be donated to a charity is accumulated.” While this would seem to be the simplest explanation, I am intrigued by another, which I found here: Apparently (at least according to the Jastrow dictionary), the Aramaic word pushka (פושקא) or (פושכא), means “handsbreadth, palm.” As such, the word, in its Yiddish context, refers to the stretching out of the hand to receive alms. When taken together, the two sources form a whole: One stretches out one’s pushka with a pushke in it in order to receive tzedoke.




Also, Shaul Stampfer agrees that it comes from the Polish, see here, footnote 1.






share|improve this answer
























  • Though it most definitely comes from the Polish word, the fact that an interesting chiddush can be made from the Aramaic word is awesome! +1

    – ezra
    9 mins ago














3












3








3







From Yiddish Word of the Week here:




Etymology: There seems to be a dispute about etymology here. Leo Rosten, in his Joys of Yiddish (p. 296; unfortunately not available online), argues that it derives from the Polish word for can, “puszka.” Thus, a pushke is simply “a little can or container kept in the home, often in the kitchen, in which money to be donated to a charity is accumulated.” While this would seem to be the simplest explanation, I am intrigued by another, which I found here: Apparently (at least according to the Jastrow dictionary), the Aramaic word pushka (פושקא) or (פושכא), means “handsbreadth, palm.” As such, the word, in its Yiddish context, refers to the stretching out of the hand to receive alms. When taken together, the two sources form a whole: One stretches out one’s pushka with a pushke in it in order to receive tzedoke.




Also, Shaul Stampfer agrees that it comes from the Polish, see here, footnote 1.






share|improve this answer













From Yiddish Word of the Week here:




Etymology: There seems to be a dispute about etymology here. Leo Rosten, in his Joys of Yiddish (p. 296; unfortunately not available online), argues that it derives from the Polish word for can, “puszka.” Thus, a pushke is simply “a little can or container kept in the home, often in the kitchen, in which money to be donated to a charity is accumulated.” While this would seem to be the simplest explanation, I am intrigued by another, which I found here: Apparently (at least according to the Jastrow dictionary), the Aramaic word pushka (פושקא) or (פושכא), means “handsbreadth, palm.” As such, the word, in its Yiddish context, refers to the stretching out of the hand to receive alms. When taken together, the two sources form a whole: One stretches out one’s pushka with a pushke in it in order to receive tzedoke.




Also, Shaul Stampfer agrees that it comes from the Polish, see here, footnote 1.







share|improve this answer












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answered 51 mins ago









רבות מחשבותרבות מחשבות

14.3k126121




14.3k126121













  • Though it most definitely comes from the Polish word, the fact that an interesting chiddush can be made from the Aramaic word is awesome! +1

    – ezra
    9 mins ago



















  • Though it most definitely comes from the Polish word, the fact that an interesting chiddush can be made from the Aramaic word is awesome! +1

    – ezra
    9 mins ago

















Though it most definitely comes from the Polish word, the fact that an interesting chiddush can be made from the Aramaic word is awesome! +1

– ezra
9 mins ago





Though it most definitely comes from the Polish word, the fact that an interesting chiddush can be made from the Aramaic word is awesome! +1

– ezra
9 mins ago



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