bupkis

American  

[buhp-kuhs, buhp-kis] / ˈbʌp kəs, ˈbʌpˌkɪs /

Also bupkes, or bubkes

noun

1. nothing.

   They've told us bupkis—we're going to have to find out what's going on for ourselves.

2. very little; the smallest amount.

   It was a revolutionary piece of technology, and yet the inventor sold it for bupkis.

---

Etymology

Origin of bupkis

First recorded in 1935–40; from Yiddish bobkes, plural of bobke “piece of goat excrement, worthless thing,” literally “little bean,” from Slavic, equivalent to Polish bób “broad bean” + -ke, diminutive suffix; bean ( def. )

Example Sentences

The “Bupkis” star began his “SNL” career in 2014, when he was only 20, then spent eight seasons on the late-night sketch comedy show.

From Los Angeles Times

The comedian, who left "SNL" in 2022 amid reports that he felt threatened in a “cutthroat” work environment, starred in two seasons of Peacock’s “Bupkis,” a fictionalized account of his own life, and an autobiographical comedy film, “The King of Staten Island.”

From Salon

The group had reportedly reached out to 30 prospective candidates, and came up with bupkis.

From Slate

“Bupkis,” the comedy series with Pete Davidson, has gotten several runs after “Saturday Night Live,” the show that made him a star.

From Los Angeles Times

Along with the writing seminar on Jan. 20 and the Ice House set, Lawrence returned to work this week on Season 2 of Davidson’s Peacock series, “Bupkis.”

From Los Angeles Times