kibitz

Where does the word "kibitz" come from? It comes from German kiebitzen, passing through Yiddish before entering English (1927).

Kibitz’s story begins in German: kiebitzen meant “to look on and meddle.” To look on and offer unwanted advice, from Kiebitz (a lapwing bird known for its noisy behavior). By 1800s, the word had taken hold in Yiddish as kibitsn. From German 'Kiebitz', the lapwing, a noisy bird; card-game onlookers were called 'Kiebitze'. It reached English by 1927 as kibitz. First used in English of card-game onlookers; German thieves' cant had used 'kiebitzen' to mean simply 'to visit'. Today, kibitz means to offer unsolicited advice or commentary, especially while watching others.

1. Stage 1 · German · 1800s kiebitzen "to look on and meddle", to look on and offer unwanted advice, from Kiebitz (a lapwing bird known for its noisy behavior).
2. Stage 2 · Yiddish · 1800s kibitsn "to offer unsolicited advice", from German 'Kiebitz', the lapwing, a noisy bird; card-game onlookers were called 'Kiebitze'.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1927 kibitz "to offer unwanted advice or commentary", first used in English of card-game onlookers; German thieves' cant had used 'kiebitzen' to mean simply 'to visit'.