oy gevalt

[ oige-vawlt ]

interjectionYiddish.

(used to express dismay, pain, shock, grief, etc., or as a cry for help):I’ve had a nasty week, and, oy gevalt, it's only Monday!As I stood in shock, surrounded by broken glass, I could hear my mom shouting, "Aaron! Oy gevalt!"

Origin of oy gevalt

¹

First recorded in 1915–20; from Yiddish oy gevald “oh woe,” from oy oy¹ + gevald “force, violence”; see also herald, wield

Also oy [oi] /ɔɪ/ .

Words Nearby oy gevalt

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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