Tchotchke

a collection of conference tchochke Tchochke (Typically pronounced as "Chach-Kee") —originally from a Slavic word for "toys" ( Ukrainian цяцька, tsiats'ka; Polish cacka, tsatska; Russian цацки, tsatski)—adapted to Yiddish טשאַטשקע tshatshke , "trinket", are small toys, gewgaws, knickknacks, baubles, lagniappes , trinkets , or kitsch . The term has a connotation of worthlessness or disposability, as well as tackiness, and was long used in the Jewish-American community and in the regional speech of New York City . The word may also refer to swag , in the sense of the logo pens, key fobs , and other promotional freebies dispensed at trade shows, conventions, and similar large events. Also, stores that sell cheap souvenirs in tourist areas like Times Square , Venice Beach , and the ABC Stores in Hawaii are sometimes called "tchotchke shops." Leo Rosten , author of The Joys of Yiddish , gives an alternate sense of tchotchke as meaning a desirable young girl, a "pretty young thing." Less flatteringly, the term could be construed as a more dismissive synonym for " bimbo ." These usages are not common outside of Jewish circles. The term (in the form tzatzke, with a tsade instead of teth - shin ) is sometimes used in modern Hebrew as a slang word equivalent to " slut ."

Receipt from a thrift store in Los Angeles, California , for several "tchotchkes", in this case, ceramic vases and a mug. A tchotchke ( / ˈ tʃ ɒ tʃ k ə / CHOCH -ka ) is a small bauble or miscellaneous item. The word has long been used by Jewish-Americans and in the regional speech of New York City and elsewhere. The word may also refer to free promotional items dispensed at trade shows, conventions, and similar large events. They can also be sold as cheap souvenirs in tourist areas, which are sometimes called "tchotchke shops".

A cabinet of tchotchkes and memorabilia behind the counter at Shopsin's in the Essex Street Market in New York City A tchotchke ( / ˈ tʃ ɒ tʃ k ə / CHOTCH -kə ) is a small bauble or miscellaneous item. The word has long been used by Jewish-Americans and in the regional speech of New York City and elsewhere. It is Slavic in origin. The word may also refer to free promotional items dispensed at trade shows, conventions, and similar commercial events. They can also be sold as cheap souvenirs in tourist areas, which are sometimes called "tchotchke shops".

Term describing a miscellaneous item A cabinet of tchotchkes and memorabilia behind the counter at Shopsin's in the Essex Street Market in New York City A tchotchke ( / ˈ tʃ ɒ tʃ k ə / CHOTCH -kə , / ˈ tʃ ɒ tʃ k iː / CHOTCH -kee ) is a small bric-à-brac or miscellaneous item. The word has long been used by Jewish-Americans and in the regional speech of New York City and elsewhere. It is borrowed from Yiddish and is ultimately Slavic in origin. The word may also refer to free promotional items dispensed at trade shows, conventions, and similar commercial events. They can also be sold as cheap souvenirs in tourist areas, which are sometimes called "tchotchke shops".

Term describing a miscellaneous item A cabinet of tchotchkes and memorabilia behind the counter at Shopsin's in the Essex Street Market in New York City A tchotchke ( / ˈ tʃ ɒ tʃ k ə / CHOTCH -kə or / ˈ tʃ ɒ tʃ k i / CHOTCH -kee ) is a small bric-à-brac or miscellaneous item. The word has long been used by Jewish-Americans and in the regional speech of New York City and elsewhere. It is borrowed from Yiddish and is ultimately Slavic in origin. The word may also refer to free promotional items dispensed at trade shows, conventions, and similar commercial events. They can also be sold as cheap souvenirs in tourist areas, which are sometimes called "tchotchke shops".