Shtetl Nicknames

Jurbarkas, 1920s. Courtesy of Beth Hatefutsoth, the Museum of the Jewish People.

Most residents of the shtetl had nicknames. If you did something funny or silly, had an unusual character, hair color, distinct physical trait, or a unique life experience, the entire town wouldn't call you by your name but rather by a nickname they created.

In this photo, you can see Jewish residents of the Jurbarkas shtetl. Both men worked as cart drivers. Due to their noticeable physical differences, one of them was known in town by the nickname long Shabbat,' while the other was accordingly called 'Short Friday'.

Often, these nicknames were not negative or mocking, but there were certainly instances of cruel and derogatory labels. For example, in Šeduva, one girl was referred to (hopefully, behind her back) as 'pockmarked' because her face was covered in scars from having had chickenpox. Two Waggoners Nicknamed "Long Shabbat" and "Short Friday".