קלאַפֿטער

Yiddish

Etymology

From Old High German klāftra. Compare German Klafter. Development of swimming-related senses uncertain.

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /ˈkɫaftər/

Noun

קלאַפֿטער • (klafter) m, plural קלאַפֿטערס (klafters) or קלאַפֿטער (klafter)

  1. (historical) fathom (six feet, originally a man's armspan)
  2. (historical) fathom (unit of volume equivalent to 0.56 cubic metres; to measure wood size)
  3. (swimming) freestyle, front crawl
    Synonym: קלאַפֿטערשוווּם (klaftershvum)
  4. breaststroke
    Synonym: זשאַבעשוווּם (zhabeshvum)

Usage notes
  • Usage as "breaststroke" is not attested in the CEYD.

Derived terms
  • קלאַפֿטערהאָלץ (klafterholts, “firewood”)
  • קלאַפֿטערשוווּם (klaftershvum)
  • לייגן קלאַפֿטער (leygn klafter, “to swim freestyle”)

References
  • Justus van de Kamp et al., “קלאַפֿטער” in Jiddisch-Nederlands Woordenboek [Yiddish-Dutch Dictionary], Amsterdam: Stichting Jiddische Lexicografie, 1987-present (ongoing). .
  • Schaechter-Viswanath, Gitl, Glasser, Paul (2016) “freestyle”, in Comprehensive English-Yiddish Dictionary, Bloomington, Indiana: Indiana University Press, →ISBN
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