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bubkes

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

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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