When my son was a teen he would answer any question that would normally involve an adverb with “ish.”
Dylan, are you hungry?
Ish
Did you have a good day at school?
Ish.
Did you ask Olivia to the prom?
(Silence.)
What is the entomology of “Ish?” I was surprised at the results here and here.
“ Merriam-Webster notes that -ish derives from the Old English -isc, of Germanic origin, which in turn is related to similar such suffixes in Dutch (-isch) and Greek (-iskos). For centuries now, -ish has been rather promiscuous in English, attaching to a wide variety of words and even phrases.”
It’s also a “Nationality, Origin. The origin of -ish goes back to Old English, when it meant ‘from the country of.’ {Spanish, Danish, English…} It can also refer to other kinds of origins, like ‘Jewish,’ meaning the descendants of Jacob’s fourth son Judah in the Hebrew Bible.
According to: The Stackexchange (cute title) when “ish” is used the word is lessened in intensity.
Aha!
That’s why we are Jew-ish. We really really really just want people to like us. Thus, “ish” is the suffix; lessening the intensity.
I’m not really a Jew. I’m Jew-ish. See? Please love me.
Maybe not. There goes that theory.
I could argue that the suffix ish has penetrated the Jewish culture…
There are 613 laws in Judaism. I’m guessing 614 would command, Thou shalt not be definitive. Instead, interpret. Question the world. You’ll be a good scientist.
I don’t know about this three laws of motion thing, said Al Einstein.
Argue. You’ll make a good lawyer.
What proof do you have that a Twinkie was the reason why Dan White murdered Harvey Milk?
(Yes, this was a thing. Reporters called it the “Twinkie Defense” after that popular 1970’s vanilla cream roll when Dan White’s lawyers blamed his addiction to the sugary treat for White’s assassination of San Francisco’s first gay mayor. The movie, Milk, starring Sean Penn was fabulish.)
There are “legit” words that end in ish. But they’re usually derived from Latin or Old French. Ie: Fetish, Radish, Punish… They have a boring ancestry like me. 85% Ashkenazi. Duh. I was thrilled when I found out I’m 13% Italian.
The moral of the story is-- if you don’t have an answer, just say, “Ish.” But don’t be surprised if someone else uses it on you. Here are some examples…
In Politics--
Should we shut down the government?
Ish.
Abide by the constitution?
Ish.
Lower taxes?
(Silence.)
After sex--
Was that nice?
Ish.
Before sex—
Do you love me?
Ish.
Never trawl for a compliment--
Do these jeans make my legs look like twigs?
Ish.
Don’t confuse your waiter--
So, you want your burger medium?
Ish.
To your stockbroker--
Did I earn capital?
Ish.
Or a psychic--
Will I have a good job in my future?
Ish.
I haven’t heard Dylan use ish in a while. He’s too busy adulting and making insightful decisions. Here was my recent convo with him:
New Year’s Eve Day
“What are you doing tonight?” I said.
“I was invited to a New Year’s party but I think I’ll lay low.”
“No party?”
“If it’s boring and it’s 10pm you can’t leave.”
“What do you mean?”
“You have to stay until 12:01. It’s an unsaid rule. The host will be offended, question your celebration priorities.”
“Dang, you’re right.”
I imagined an insulted 20-something host whining, “It’s only 9:00. You’ve got three hours, bud. You can’t leave yet.”
New Year’s Day
“Did you sleep well last night, sweetie?”
“Ish.”
“I heard you’re having a cold front.”
“Ish.”
“When will you come visit us?”
(Silence.)
1. Do you answer in ish?
2. Do you have a good-ish story or a good ish story?
3. Have you ever left a New Year’s Eve party early? Was the host baffled?
4. What’s with the dating scene and kids these days?
"I’m not really a Jew. I’m Jew-ish. See? Please love me." << I died at this sentence 😂😂
I have never spoken in ISH terms but after reading this post I'm about to start. As for leaving NYE parties early? I don't even go to begin with. I went to bed at 10:30 that night and woke up pissed off at 12:01 because the fireworks woke up my dog 🤣
I found this very informativish and enjoyableish