before (
BEE four) noun. in this instance, before refers to when families, or individuals, went by their last names -- generally in the Old Country prior to emigrating to the
USA. so as not to be identified with any particular ethnic, religious, nationality, etc. the last
name was changed to appear more 'American' in order to 'fit in.'
Mordecai: 'Ma, This is Sue, the woman I told you about.'
Ma: (To herself: 'Oy vey!) What a lovely creature! I didn't catch the last
name dear...'
Mordecai: (To himself: 'Oh fuck!')
Sue: 'Smith. Mrs. Goldfarb.'
Ma: 'Lovely
name, what was it before dear?'
Ma: (To herself: 'Jesus Christ, a
fucking shikse! My son has brought home a courve, I
hope the neighbors didn't see her.')
Sue: 'Before - what Mrs. Goldfarb?'
Mordecai: (To himself: 'Jesus Christ! How do I explain this one?')
Ma: 'You'll have to excuse me, I've got (the) shpilkus. Lovely to meet you Sue.'