Yiddish for the cannabis show floor: a Jews in Weed glossary
Words you will hear at a Bagel Bash, with a pronunciation guide and what each one means in context. Useful for members, allies and anyone who has nodded along to "tachlis" without asking.
- MacherMAH-kher
- A person of influence who gets things done. We name our sponsor levels after them: Big Machers and Machers.
- Mishpachamish-PAH-khah
- Family, in the wide sense. At a Bash it means the industry people who feel like relatives by the second coffee.
- SchmearSHMEER
- A spread, most famously cream cheese on a bagel. Also the name of our smaller working sessions, Schmear Sessions.
- NoshNOSH
- To snack, or the snack itself. There is always something to nosh on at a Jews in Weed event.
- KvellKVELL
- To glow with pride, usually over someone else's success. Common when a member launches a brand or wins a license.
- KibitzKIB-itz
- To chat casually, sometimes offering commentary nobody asked for. The main activity of every Bagel Bash.
- SchmoozeSHMOOZ
- To talk warmly and easily with people, which is to say, to network without it feeling like networking.
- MenschMENCH
- A person of integrity and decency. The highest compliment you can pay someone in this community.
- ChutzpahKHOOTS-pah
- Nerve or audacity. Admired when you walk up to the CEO you have wanted to meet all year.
- TachlisTAKH-lis
- The practical substance of a matter. When the small talk ends and the real deal conversation starts, you are talking tachlis.
- L'chaimleh-KHY-im
- A Hebrew toast meaning to life. Heard at every Purim party and plenty of other occasions.
- Mazel tovMAH-zel tov
- Congratulations. Offered freely for new jobs, new stores, new babies and new state markets.
- Zissen PesachZIS-en PAY-sakh
- A Yiddish greeting meaning have a sweet Passover. It is the name of our spring holiday greeting to the community.
- PurimPOOR-im
- The festive holiday that retells the Book of Esther, celebrated with costumes and parties. Our annual industry Purim party is now in its second year.
- Bagel BashBAY-gel bash
- A Jews in Weed original: an early-morning networking breakfast held alongside a major cannabis conference.
Why a glossary on a cannabis networking site?
Because a lot of the words that make our events feel like home come from Yiddish and Hebrew, and not everyone grew up hearing them. Allies come to every Bash, and plenty of Jewish members only know half of these from their grandparents. Consider this your cheat sheet before the next gathering.
Missing a word you heard at an event? Send it to us and we will add it.