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Schlep
SHLEP • Verb
שלעפּ
Snappy Essence
To drag oneself or carry heavy, bulky items over a long, frustrating distance.
Nuance
Moving is a task. Schlepping is carrying three heavy boxes, an oversized coffee, and an umbrella uphill in a headwind.
Pro-Pronunciation Tip
Simple! Rhymes with 'step'. Lean slightly forward and sigh as you say it.
Linguistic Note (YIVO)
Standard YIVO transliteration: shlepn
Etymology: From German schleppen (to drag). YIVO 'shlepn'; 'schlep' is the popularized Anglicized stem.
Examples in the wild
Classic
"I had to schlep all the way across the borough to return a borrowed lawnmower."
Modern Yinglish
"Our office moved to the sixth floor and the elevator broke. The morning commute is an absolute schlep."
Mishegas Meter7/10