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A Way with Words, a radio show and podcast about language and linguistics.

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Schm to show disdain
Robert
553 Posts
(Offline)
1
2014/01/15 - 10:34am

As explained here, it is a way to show disdain for an idea by saying it twice, except the 2nd time you impose 'Schm' as prefix or on top of the first consonant:

He sells on eBay now? eBay schmebay !
You hanging out on Facebook now? Facebook schmacebook !

(Often done to humorous effects, it enjoyed some rise of recognition along with the popularity of the Jerry Seinfeld show.)

I know of only 1 other language that has that same kind of expression; but in that, Vietnamese, it is the last diphthong, -iếc:

Nuôi chó nuôi chiếc ! : showing disdain for keeping pet dogs.
Du khách du khiếc ! : showing disdain for tourists.

All that is just to ask the obvious question: Are there many languages that have a similar pattern of usage?

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