newyork.localmean.com/schvitz
Schvitz
SHVITS
Local meaning
To sweat heavily; as a noun, it can also refer to a steam bath or sauna-like session.
In New York conversation, someone may complain that a hot subway platform has them schvitzing. The Yiddish-derived word also names a steam bath, so sentence structure shows whether it describes sweating or a place and activity.
Example in context
- “This platform is so hot I’m already schvitzing.”
How it is used
Yiddish-derived English with a strong New York cultural association and wider dictionary recognition.
humorous, uncomfortable, familiar
summer heat, subway platforms, exercise, steam baths
Yiddish-derived English with a strong New York cultural association and wider dictionary recognition.
The word has a specific cultural history and is not simply invented New York slang.
Spelling and scope
Yiddish-derived English with a strong New York cultural association and wider dictionary recognition.
- Search forms
schvitz meaningschvitzing new yorkyiddish sweat word
LocalMean keeps common search spellings discoverable without claiming that every borough, community, or generation uses one written form.
Frequently asked questions
Does schvitz mean sweat?
Yes. As a verb it means to sweat, often heavily or uncomfortably.
Can a schvitz be a place?
Yes. As a noun it can refer to a steam bath or a session in one.
Read next
All words →Evidence and further reading
These sources support the regional association, dictionary sense, or broader spread. The entry remains open to correction from New York speakers and qualified reviewers.
- schvitzMerriam-Webster
Dictionary definition and Yiddish-derived history for sweating or a steam bath.
- Geographic Variation in Slang SemanticsarXiv
Research showing that slang meanings and associations vary by geography and community.