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My mother, of English/Scots ancestry and raised in North-central North Dakota, used "ishta" as a synonym for "yukky" in the 1950s. It seems obviously related to the shorter expression, "Ish!" and may have been an intensifier signifying that the object in question was so disgusting it should not be touched. Although the term was adjectival, it was normally used with a "to be" verb form when the referent was clear, as in "That's ishta!" The referent was invariably something physically disgusting, such as vomit. It could even be a one-word emphatic expression of disgust: "Ishta!"
In our extended family, the part from Northern Minnesota and of Norwegian heritage, we still use the term "ish / isch" to refer to something disgusting. Sometimes used as an interjection. Sometimes used as an adjective. We also used a variation to indicate a bowel movement. But it was always referring to a young one. For example: If a child had an accident, we would say: "He went ishee in his pants." or a child would tell his parents, "I have to go ishee."
I recall an earlier show discussing the term "ishpee." I think this is a variant of the same word.
Sacto said
I recall an earlier show discussing the term "ishpee." I think this is a variant of the same word.
Might be the same show. This was a rebroadcast of "Bouncy House of Language."
The shows are so information dense, it's hard to hear everything in one hearing. I like these reruns.
Martha Barnette
Grant Barrett
Grant Barrett
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