Wondrous Words Wednesday

Wondrous Words Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Kathy of Bermudaonion where we share new (to us) words that we’ve encountered in our reading.  If you want to play along, grab the button, write a post and add your link to Mr. Linky on Kathy's blog!

This week the new words I encountered were from Far to Go by Alison Pick. I used Merriam Webster's online dictionary for the definitions.

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1. pogrom

In the face of everything: the pogroms, Kristallnacht, the acts of violence and betrayal both small and enormous. (p.84)

A pogrom is an organized massacre of helpless people. It is Yiddish in origin from Russian and  relates specifically to a massacre of Jews. Kristallnacht, also referred to as the Night of Broken Glass, was a pogrom.

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2. slivovitz and absinthe

But Annaliese said, "The slivovitz?"
"The absinthe." Pavel paused. "You won't embarrass me like that again." (p. 91)

There was absolutely nothing in the context before or after these sentences to clue me in as to what these words meant. Curiosity was begging me to look them up.

Slivovitz is a dry usually colorless plum brandy made especially in the Balkan countries. Absinthe is a green liqueur which is flavored with wormwood, anise, and other aromatic herbs and commercial production of which is banned in many countries for health concerns.

3. yarmulke

When the priest turned around Marta saw that he had a bald patch on the back of his head the exact size and shape of a yarmulke. (p. 97)

A yarmulke is a skullcap worn especially by Orthodox and Conservative Jewish males in the synagogue and the home. I've always wondered what they were called. Now I know!

What new words have you encountered in your reading this week? Do share!