Gimpel Beynish the Matchmaker
(Gimpl Beynish der Shadkhn)
Yiddish Comics of the early 20th century

Lopatsan in Russian denotes an inhabitant of the village of Lopățica in what is now southern Moldova (168 km. from Kishinev). If Gimpel came from the Odessa region (or could adopt an Odessan's perspective) [they] might have reminded him of all those Romanians, Bulgars and Turks to the southwest.

1. GB: Hurry, bring me the umbrella. It's raining and I need to go do some business.
   
2. Motke: Go away! I want to bring Dad the umbrella. He asked me.
   
3. Notke: He asked me. I have the correct part of the umbrella. You'll soon see.
   
4. Both: Take it, Dad. Here you have the umbrella. Go do business, make money, and bring candy.
   
5. GB: I won't be doing any business today, but you're going to get the business.

1. Don't bother that watermelon, boys. It's for guests. A bride and groom are coming to our house today.
   
2. You're already starting your loaferish shtik? Already? Leave the watermelon alone, I said!
   
3. Hooligans! Wild men! Give me that watermelon. I've had it with you.

1. Oy, here comes an automobile! Be careful, children, God forbid you should be run over.
   
2. How many times have I told you to be careful around automobiles?
   
3. Go home! Go to hell! Stay at home since you don't understand how to be careful around...
   
4. ...
   
5. Where am I? And where is the automobile? But I said one should be careful!

Labels: katzenjammer