Oy!

I am an Oy-ster. Yiddish words find their way into my speech. Shmuck is a favorite, as is dreck. Occasionally, I have uttered the word "shmata" when referring to some of Paris Hilton's best get-ups. I never realized, though, how often I peppered my speech until tonight.

I was putting my 3-year old to bed. After the bedtime story, the drink of water, and the pats on the back, I leaned over to tousle her hair and kiss her goodnight. My hand encountered a chunk of grit (some kind of rock!) in her hair, and I exclaimed "What the heck is in your hair, boo-boo?" Her answer?

Schmutz.