How do you feel when someone starts talking to you in a language you don't understand? Or let's put the question even more intriguingly - the language is clear to you, with the exception of the appeal addressed to you. Surely this hurts even more than in the first case.
International relations have always been famous for the double meaning of certain words and expressions. Foreigners are especially surprised by this when they come to our country. So, for example, those obscene words that they slowly adopt from us in order to more clearly express their negative emotions, in Russia they hear in their address in a completely friendly, affable tone. And they really were uttered without any malicious intent. And at the same time, the same unfortunate foreigners can easily run into trouble if suddenly, during a conversation with a Russian, they somehow utter a completely ordinary literary word in a wrong way. For example "pike". Well, this is from a joke.
As a rule, every nation has, to put it mildly, riddle words. In this article, we will consider one of the most curious words of our time, the meaning of which is still not clear to everyone. And this is goy. A word that can only be heard from people of Jewish origin. And there are a lot of opinions about him. Some people think it's an insult. And someone is looking for answers in more cultural sources. So, who is a goy?
What does it mean?
The word "goy" has a lot of meanings. But initially it can be found in the Tanakh, in which it is interpreted only as a goy - this is a "people".
Moreover, this word is applied both to the Jews and to any other ethnic group. The word goy occurs several hundred times in Jewish holy books. And in most cases, it refers specifically to the Israelis.
Reverse side
In the same Tanakh, “goy” is a word that can also be interpreted as “pagan”. But here, again, it refers to the Jews. The only difference is that those who do not comply with certain norms and traditions. And in order to shame for such neglect of their culture, the ignorant are ranked among the pagans. In the old Russian archives, this was referred to as “goiim.”
Sometimes different prefixes and endings are added to the word, thus highlighting the true meaning. For example "shabesgoy". In this case, it refers to a Jew who does not observe certain traditions on Saturdays. "Shabesgoy" - "Saturday goy". As a rule, Saturday is the Sabbath for Jews. In other words, the day when nothing can be done. Also, the use of any prohibited foods (for example, pork) is considered a violation. This, again, is not an insult, but a call to respect one's culture.
Denotation "stranger"
Later the word "goy" began to have a slightly different character. The first such interpretation was found inone of the ancient scrolls found in the Qumran cave. They began to call strangers. In other words, people of a foreign faith and nationality. This can be found, for example, among the Japanese - "gaijin", or among the gypsies - "gadzho". The expression is still not negative. But there is a need for it, like any other people who value their culture.
The designation of "us" and "them" plays a significant role, for example, when it comes to a wedding. An Israeli must marry only an Israeli woman. And vice versa. Marriages with non-Jews are strictly prohibited. But with all this there is no place for a national character. Any goy who renounces his faith and adopts Jewish culture automatically loses his "goy" status. Which means that he, for example, can marry an Israeli woman.
Insult
Initially, the word "goy" is not an insult. However, it is generally accepted that this is how Jews express their contempt for "non-Jews." As is commonly believed, Jews are dismissive of other nationalities because they consider themselves to be the chosen nation. However, this is what happens to many people. In order to understand what exactly the Jew speaking to you has in mind, you need to pay attention to his intonation and facial expressions. If the word is offensive, then you will immediately understand it. But first of all, you need to remember that the true meaning of the word "goy" is "people." It's another matter if a Jew calls you "potz". There is nothing to think about.
Myths, coincidences and just names of something
In addition,the word "goy" can be found:
- Goy esi is an Old Slavic expression used both to express positive emotions and greetings (something like “be he althy”).
- In abusive terms, there is such a word "shiksa" - this is how the Jews call the wife of a goy. Most often, the parents of a Jewish boy call a “non-Jewish” girl who seized their son “shiksa”
- Goy is a “yogi” read backwards - this is how the ancient Aryans called themselves. There is a myth that in retaliation for the Holocaust, the Jews reversed this word, making it offensive.
- Goy is a common surname of a Jewish family.
- Goyny - such an adjective is noted among Russians living in the northeast. Means pure, sincere, lovely.
And these are far from all cases where the word "goy" is somehow mentioned.
