oy gevalt

Like most Yiddish expressions, this is Mediaeval Low German. In Modern German it would be spelled "Ach! Gewalt!" Gewalt is a word that means strength or force, But in this context means "violence".

I see others referring to the Yiddish expression "oy vay zmir". Again, in Modern German, "Ach! Weh ist mir!", literally, "oh, woe is unto me!" In all 3 cases, the pronoun is in the Dative case, which usage has long since vanished in English, except in antique sayings such as this.

Oy gevalt

by ProudPrimate August 18, 2013

oy gevalt

Yiddish phrase. exclamation of surprise, incredulity, or simply used to emphasize a statement. often used when kvetching. alt. spelling: oy gevaldt

oy gevalt! don't scare me like that.
oy gevalt, not again.
oy gevalt, that was a long drive!

by Shwaggy November 14, 2003

oy gevalt

A yiddish term meaning "Oh goodness!" An expression of utmost anxiety or shock.

"Oy Gevalt! Would you look at the tuchis on her!"

by Reb'Ke'ev March 17, 2005

oy gevalt

A Yiddish expression of alarm.

Oy, gevalt! I hear Sam Jones got a divorce and married his friend, David.

by Tippy Ray May 13, 2005

oy gevalt

Yiddish: Oh help!!!!

The car just broke down again! Oy gevalt!

by Steviedee January 16, 2004

oy gevalt

"Oy vey zmir"... that doesnt say much either, but its a yiddish phrase, and you can not really translate yiddish to english. The best defintion would be "oh boy or oh my gosh!"

"Oy gevalt, im soo tired, i need to go to bed but i have too much homework."

by JBS May 7, 2003