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Where does the word "klutz" come from? It comes from Yiddish klots, and was adopted directly into English (1900s).
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Where does the word "klutz" come from? It comes from Yiddish klots, and was adopted directly into English (1900s).
Klutz’s story begins in Yiddish: klots meant “a wooden block.” Literally "a wooden beam" or "block". It reached English by 1900s as klutz. Yiddish 'klots', wooden block. Today, klutz means a clumsy or awkward person.
- Stage 1 · Yiddish · medieval klots "a wooden block", literally "a wooden beam" or "block".
- Stage 2 · English · 1900s klutz "a clumsy, awkward person", Yiddish 'klots', wooden block.