The other day that was actually a week or maybe even months, Bossy’s mom described someone as a mensch. Bossy’s daughter, who has heard this word for all of the fourteen years of her life because she is a nice Jewish girl hold approximately half of the Jewish, responded, “What exactly is a mensch?”
Now understand, Bossy’s mom comes from a long line of excellent definers of words, along the lines of, “You know! Mensch! Like, to be a mensch! Mensch!” But in this case, Bossy’s mom attempted to define the word by providing examples. This was her first:
“Santa is a mensch,” Bossy’s mom began. “He’s warm and generous and kind, with unflagging character.”
Next to appear on Bossy’s mom’s mensch list was him:
He’s Tevye from Fiddler on the Roof, but you would know him better as Mensch. And next Bossy’s mom referenced Marv.
And then Bossy’s mom explained to Bossy’s daughter that character and generosity and kindness alone don’t make a mensch. As an example, Bossy’s mom suggested that although Bossy’s brother is all of these things and more, he wouldn’t universally be described as mensch material.
In this case of Bossy’s brother, Bossy’s mom wondered aloud if girth, and maybe even a beard, were mandatory in order to be a mensch.
So then Bossy’s mom considered whether being Jewish was a critical component to being a mensch.
Bossy can sum up her understanding of the word mensch in this way: Can’t define it, can spot one from afar. Hi Dad!
Which is what today’s Ten-Word Challenge is all about. In exactly ten words, can you provide Bossy with examples of who qualifies as a mensch, or what the word means to you?
And tomorrow Bossy will post all of those suggestions here and we can all play Mensch/Not A Mensch!
Who has more fun than Bossy’s esteemed council?
NotAMeanGirl says
October 26, 2010 at 10:02 amMensch- Someone who is giving beyond reasonable expectation. Altruistic. Overly Kind.
WebSavvyMom says
October 26, 2010 at 10:05 am–>Mel Gibson is definitely not a mensch.
Jami says
October 26, 2010 at 10:08 amNext-door neighbor growing up: Ugly outside; immense, awesome heart.
AmyG says
October 26, 2010 at 10:11 amCaring, considerate, thoughtful, welcoming, generous, not mean-spirited. My Dad too.
(And Bossy’s bro ain’t far off)
Judy says
October 26, 2010 at 10:27 amBestowing mensch titles to dad, hubby, three sons, two daughters.
(Too funny, WebSavvyMom)!
The Domestic Goddess says
October 26, 2010 at 10:39 amMensch = person so kind, giving, thoughtful we all hate them.
Kris says
October 26, 2010 at 10:43 amMy Boss = weighs 350 pounds. Has a heart of gold.
Mary K says
October 26, 2010 at 11:05 amEd Asner as Carl Frederickson in Up, who becomes one.
BossysMom says
October 26, 2010 at 11:10 amHere’s a non-jew….Shelby Foote. So it can happen.
BossysMom says
October 26, 2010 at 11:18 amMarvs’ Josh said “Marv is like your favorite old flannel shirt.”
Danita says
October 26, 2010 at 11:33 amMensch – a german word that means, literally, “a person”. Not what you were looking for though. Sorry.
kathleen says
October 26, 2010 at 11:49 amTea and toast. Quilt on couch. Me and Mum.Sick.
kathleen says
October 26, 2010 at 11:51 amTea and toast. Quilt on couch. Me and daughter. Sick.
kathleen says
October 26, 2010 at 12:02 pmbuckle your seat-belt button your coat wear your hat
Summer says
October 26, 2010 at 12:12 pmI want to be adopted by Marv, let him know.
Neil says
October 26, 2010 at 12:18 pmMay I have your mother’s phone number. Santa a mensch? “He sees you when you’re sleeping? He knows when you’re awake? He makes lists of the good and bad kids?”
No way!
La Suzette says
October 26, 2010 at 1:11 pmLOL, @Neil, when you put it that way, Santa sounds like quite a perve!
Angela@beggingtheanswer says
October 26, 2010 at 1:18 pmI think this head cold has liquified my brain because when I first saw the word “mensch” I thought the post was going to be about Edvard Munch, you know, the guy who painted “The Scream”? He’s not a mensch, is he? I’m so confused.
Meg at the Members Lounge says
October 26, 2010 at 1:32 pmHmm, old boss, heart of gold, nicknamed Freddie “The Wheel”.
juliejpr says
October 26, 2010 at 1:49 pmMy own dear husband, the best man in the world.
Aimee says
October 26, 2010 at 2:19 pmum…Mensch…never heard of the word (sorry not a good Jewish girl)
I think the guy that sounds like Cookie Monster on the show The Office is a Mensch.
BOSSY says
October 26, 2010 at 2:32 pmBy this criteria, Bill Gates is a mensch. But is he?
Suebob says
October 26, 2010 at 2:40 pmPaul Newman – good husband, good at his work, great philanthropist
BOSSY says
October 26, 2010 at 2:48 pmBy this criteria, Jimmy Carter is a mensch, but is he?
La Suzette says
October 26, 2010 at 3:12 pm@BOSSY – Jimmy yes Bill no. Although, Jimmy has a touch of the nebbish as well.
La Suzette says
October 26, 2010 at 3:13 pmSorry – more so in his earlier days, I think Jimmy’s “menschness” has grown over the years!
Helen+ilana=Hi says
October 26, 2010 at 3:23 pmMensch = my husband. Really it says so in print. On my blog. um ….. but it’s true anyway.
Helen+ilana=Hi says
October 26, 2010 at 3:26 pmOk number 11 obviously you’ve never heard “he’s such a person said in a proper Jewish accent or you’d know that that’s exactly right!
Kirsten says
October 26, 2010 at 5:54 pmIn German Mensch is a human; in English you love them for their extra human warmth.
tina de luxe (german girl) says
October 26, 2010 at 6:02 pmThe first German word I ever looked up. Just now.
Chrissy says
October 26, 2010 at 6:34 pmAgreed with Bossy’s Mom. Topol is poster mensch. Must squeeze.
KathyB says
October 26, 2010 at 8:10 pmWalks/ walk, talks/ talk, makes you want to listen too.
Catherine McP says
October 26, 2010 at 8:26 pmMy dear Pops. In all its Yiddish sense, except Irish.
Chesapeake Bay Woman says
October 26, 2010 at 8:39 pmHonestly I’ve never heard of the word. I don’t think.
Chesapeake Bay Woman says
October 26, 2010 at 8:41 pmCourse, it’s possible I have forgotten. Extremely possible. Thanks, Perimenopause.
Beth says
October 26, 2010 at 9:27 pmSorry– Irish Catholic girl never heard the word. Learning lots!
kathleen says
October 26, 2010 at 9:47 pmHusband puts twenties in my bag .For emergencies. Never know.
Cupcake Murphy says
October 26, 2010 at 10:15 pmTim Russert, Joy Behar, Lewis Black, Carl Reiner, Mother Teresa.
Cupcake Murphy says
October 26, 2010 at 10:17 pmJimmy Carter is one. So is FDR. And his Eleanor.
Cupcake Murphy says
October 26, 2010 at 10:19 pmHarvey Milk was Prince Mensch and he was incredibly skinny.
Kate says
October 26, 2010 at 10:33 pmInventors of chocolate and peanut butter, combined–one great mensch.
Local LIT says
October 26, 2010 at 11:37 pmOprah?
Local LIT says
October 26, 2010 at 11:41 pmAlso: my grandmother. And probably lots of people’s grandmothers.
bossy's friend martha says
October 27, 2010 at 8:27 amBefore this post, would have been offended if called a Mensch.
Sewmouse says
October 27, 2010 at 9:36 amMy dad’s Uncle Walter. Thin as a rail. Parkinson’s disease. Kind, loving, great gardener.
Gramps says
October 27, 2010 at 9:49 amSo, what is a female Mensch called????
Gretchen says
October 27, 2010 at 11:59 amWhat-a-guy. Give you the shirt off his back!
Reeb says
October 27, 2010 at 12:36 pmGramps: a Menschette? (Like female sherpas are sherpettes. A friend and I coined that one.)
[disregarding the 10 word dictum here, so taken by Gramps’s question]
Reeb says
October 27, 2010 at 12:36 pmMy white-bread upbringing is showing. Vague idea, no real-life specifics.
Reeb says
October 27, 2010 at 12:40 pmA mensch, while warm, expansive, probably pretty savvy as well?
(#21’s comment, “the guy that sounds like Cookie Monster on the show The Office” cracked me up. Because I know which one that guy is, and never realized that’s who he sounds like. Even though I somehow doubt his menschishness, if my definition above is right. Is it?)
Peg says
October 27, 2010 at 1:40 pmJoy Behar? Really???? She’s one of the meanest women on the planet!
Ann Clark says
October 27, 2010 at 3:11 pm“Mensches will always do the right thing, despite personal sacrifice.”
Lori in MN says
October 27, 2010 at 10:23 pmwould love to see dgm’s so-cal version vs Bossy’s mom’s
Liz in VIrginia says
October 28, 2010 at 9:53 amPrevious priests at church = the menschiest. Now — not so much.
Brittany says
October 28, 2010 at 3:58 pmMy personal definition is “Everything is done for his family”
Adorable Girlfriend says
October 29, 2010 at 9:49 amMy friend Suzy with an MBA who left her job to devote her life to philanthropy.
Not a mensch — an old cheating boyfriend who is not worth the type with which I am using.
My Bubie was also a mensch. She always sent a donation check whenever she read an obituary that spoke to her, even if she did not know the person. That is to say she’d be like, “He sounded like a real mensch and benefit to his community and family. It says American Diabetes Association Donations. I’ll send a $10 check in his honor.”
bruce says
October 29, 2010 at 10:42 amPaulette fits the Mensch bill, I stand corrected on sexism.
runnergirl says
October 29, 2010 at 5:28 pmCan’t stand Joy Behar. Not feeling Oprah as mensch either. Mel Gibson as the opposite as suggested earlier….LOVE IT!!!!
Papa Elf in the movie Elf = Mensch. I have one friend I’d consider a mensch….owns an insurance co, was single forever, and finally met/married a beautiful woman from Italy; she came here to be with him. Generous as the day is long, but doesn’t broadcast it. Mensch.
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