bubkes

noun

bub·​kes ˈbəp-kəs How to pronounce bubkes (audio)
ˈbu̇p-
variants or less commonly or bupkus
plural in form but singular in construction
: the least amount : beans
won't win bubkes this yearIvan Maisel
also : nothing
received bubkes for their efforts

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1937, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bubkes was in 1937

Dictionary Entries Near bubkes

Cite this Entry

“Bubkes.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bubkes. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!