Mensch

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title: "Mensch" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["yiddish-words-and-phrases", "german-words-and-phrases"] description: "Yiddish word for a person of integrity and honor" topic_path: "geography/germany" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mensch" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Yiddish word for a person of integrity and honor ::

Mensch or mentsh () is a Yiddish word which literally translates to "person", and figuratively means "a person of integrity and honour". Jewish American humourist Leo Rosten describes a mentsh as "someone to admire and emulate, someone of noble character. The key to being 'a real mensch' is nothing less than character, rectitude, dignity, a sense of what is right, responsible, decorous". The term is used as a high compliment, implying the rarity and value of that individual's qualities.

Overview

The Yiddish mensch developed alongside the Middle High German mensch, both derived from the Old High German mennisco. The spelling "mentsh" is used less frequently than "mensch", but the former is the transliteration recommended by the YIVO.

Mensch has migrated as a loanword into Yinglish and American English with the German spelling to refer not to a person, but a particularly good person, similar to a "stand-up guy": a person with the qualities one would hope for in a friend or trusted colleague. Mentshlekhkeyt () likewise literally means "humanity" but can also refer to the properties which make a person a mensch.

The word mensch and the underlying concept have had an impact on popular culture. The Mensch on a Bench is a 2012 Hanukkah-themed book and doll set parodying The Elf on the Shelf. A life-size version of the doll was adopted as the mascot of Team Israel at the World Baseball Classic in 2016. According to pitcher Gabe Cramer, "The Mensch is a great way to have fun in the dugout while reminding us of why we're here and who we're representing".

Notes

References

References

1. "[https://englishyiddishdictionary.com/ceyd?eq=%D7%9E%D7%A2%D7%A0%D7%98%D7%A9&ql=yb&id=PTdc person]". ''The Comprehensive English-Yiddish Dictionary''.
2. "[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mensch mensch]". ''[[Merriam-Webster]]''
3. (1974). "[[The Joys of Yiddish]]". Penguin.
4. [[Michael Wex]], ''How to Be a Mentsh (And Not a Shmuck)'', 2009, p. 20
5. Gloster, Rob. (7 March 2017). "Team Israel scores another surprise baseball win – with a Marin pitcher".

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