Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Drag to rotate
Tracing “”…
Where does the word "kvell" come from? It comes from Yiddish kveln, and was adopted directly into English (1950s).
Read the full story
Where does the word "kvell" come from? It comes from Yiddish kveln, and was adopted directly into English (1950s).
Kvell’s story begins in Yiddish: kveln meant “to well up, to swell.” Related to German 'quellen', to gush. It reached English by 1950s as kvell. The earliest known English printed evidence is a 1952 handbook of Jewish words and expressions. Today, kvell means to feel happily proud, especially about the achievements of one's family.
- Stage 1 · Yiddish · 1800s kveln "to well up, to swell", related to German 'quellen', to gush.
- Stage 2 · English · 1950s kvell "to feel proud and happy, especially about a relative's achievement", the earliest known English printed evidence is a 1952 handbook of Jewish words and expressions.