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.
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
Get the oy gevalt mug.Gelila \ge-li-la\ as a girl's name is a variant of Galila (Hebrew), and the meaning of Gelila is "rolling hills".The name Gelila sounds like Glila, Gelilya, Gelilia, Gelilah and Kelila and also ancient Egyptian king's daughter
by ggelila June 27, 2013
Get the gelila mug.
Yiddish phrase. exclamation of surprise, incredulity, or simply used to emphasize a statement. often used when kvetching. alt. spelling: oy gevaldt
by Shwaggy November 14, 2003
Get the oy gevalt mug.German word, which has two main meanings.
"Du siehst geil aus."-> "You look sexy."
"Das Auto ist geil."->"The car ist cool/hot."
Do not(!) use this word in a conversation, if these people your talk to are no close friends or relatives. Could be misunderstood.
"Du siehst geil aus."-> "You look sexy."
"Das Auto ist geil."->"The car ist cool/hot."
Do not(!) use this word in a conversation, if these people your talk to are no close friends or relatives. Could be misunderstood.
by Nils January 21, 2005
Get the geil mug.by Carl Miller October 4, 2006
Get the gville mug.