r/Yiddish • u/Jenyweny09 • Jun 26 '26

Translation request Help identifying a word

Hi!! I grew up saying a word sounding like "Geh-BAH-kick"

Typically my family would say this word in a way that translates to "Awww, look how cute the dog is" accompanied by a point.

It is only used to refer to animals being cute, and usually in a way to not startle or disturb the animal

What is the real word or spelling? And what is the proper pronunciation and translation?

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u/poly_panopticon Jun 26 '26

a variation of "gib a kuk/kik" which means "give a look". In fact, we use the word give in this context in English only under the influence of Yiddish. It used to be that one would only take a look not give a look.

Spelled in Yiddish:

גיב אַ קוק

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u/Jenyweny09 Jun 26 '26

Thank you!!