Glossary of Non-English Terms

Special thanks to Snow for invaluable assistance with Japanese words, names, and customs; to Astra for providing Maimonides' Prayer and Jewish quotes, sayings, and customs; to DumlaoX for the character and proper names for Claw and Fang; and to Batya for the character of Dr. Goldblum, additional Jewish customs and terms, information on New York City proper, and for final editing of the finished story.

Cinnamon (cinnamon@xtdl.com)

Japanese Glossary:

Anata

literally means "you," but used lovingly between married couples -- the equivalent of "Dear" or "Beloved."

Okaasan

familiar address for mother -- like "Mom" or "Mama."

Otoosan

familiar address for father -- like "Dad" or "Papa."

-san

suffix added to a name in direct conversation denoting courteous respect.

-sama

suffix added to title when addressing a superior.

Komainu

large fierce-looking stone dogs or lions placed at the gates of Shinto shrines to drive away demons and evil spirits.

Ji-san

male form of address that's still semi-formal but seems most gangster- like.

Baa-san

contemptuous form of addressing a woman but still semi-formal.

Ji-jii

severely contemptuous form of addressing a man -- like "geezer."

Ba-baa

severely contemptuous form of addressing a woman.

wakashu

gangster/soldier

Yakuza

Japanese underworld crime syndicate. Tommy Kimura is part of a bakuto (gamblers gang) The gang structure is:

socho

president

kashimoto-oyabun

bosses in charge of "loans." There are 11 in Tommy's bakuto.

ikka

Yakuza "family" headed by one of the kashimoto-oyabun. Ikka members become part of the "family" by induction following an apprenticeship. When inducted they adopt the family name as their own.

kobun

individual inducted member of an ikka.

daigashi

manager -- runs a particular establishment -- usually an illegal gambling house.

dekata

workers in the gambling houses.

sanshita

basic workers, guards, cleaners, "grunts."

Jewish Glossary (Hebrew unless otherwise specified):

kipah

small skullcap worn by Jewish men. May be as plain or as quirky as the individual chooses.

shaharit

regular weekday morning prayers.

Minchah

regular weekday afternoon prayers.

shul

another term for synagogue.

Chanukah gelt

chocolate "coins" usually given for Chanukah. Gold foil wrapped are milk chocolate; silver foil are dark chocolate.

Shabbat

Sabbath

daven

pray (Yiddish)

dreidel (Yiddish; sevivon in Hebrew)

small square spinning top commonly given to children at Chanukah. Hebrew letters on the sides form an acronym to the sentence: "Nes Gadol Hayah Sham" ("A Great Miracle Was There")

rugelach

a sweet pastry usually made with either chocolate or cinnamon.

Baruch HaShem

literally, "blessed be the Name" -- equivalent of "thank God."

Zeeskeit (Yiddish)

literally, "sweetie" -- equivalent of "Dear" or "Beloved"

shaina punem (Yiddish)

literally, "cute-face" -- term of endearment

Oy gevalt! (or Oy vey!)

common expression of exasperation. [Note: These and other terms are further explained in the context of the story.]