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bubkes

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noun, plural in form but singular in construction bub·kes \ ˈbəp-kəs , ˈbu̇p- \
variants: or less commonly or bupkus

Definition of bubkes

:the least amount :beans
  • won't win bubkes this year
  • —Ivan Maisel
; also :nothing
  • received bubkes for their efforts

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Origin and Etymology of bubkes

Yiddish (probably short for kozebubkes, literally, goat droppings), plural of bubke, bobke, diminutive of bub, bob bean, of Slavic origin; akin to Polish bób bean

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