It's the word of the day for January 21st.

Today's word is schmooze, spelled S-C-H-M-O-O-Z-E.

Shmooz is a verb.

To schmooze is to warmly chat with someone, often in order to gain

favor business or connections. Here's the word used in a sentence from the News, Virginian.

After wrapping up her speech filled with anecdotes and policy promises, the candidate schmoozed

with the crowd, seemingly determined

to shake every hand before her staff ushered her back to the bus. The word schmuse, which is also

spelled without the C, S-H-M-O-O-O-Z-E, schlepped into English from the Yiddish word schmuz, meaning talk, which itself is from the Hebrew word meaning news or rumor.

Although originally used to indicate simply talking in an informal and warm manner, the word now commonly suggests conversation for the purpose of gaining favor, business, or connections.

Shmuz is one of a number of English shmuh words, originating from English.

Other classics include schmaltz, referring to rendered animal fat or excessively sentimental music or art.

Schmuck, a slang word for jerk, schmutz, meaning a filthy or soiling substance,

and smear, meaning a layer of cream cheese.

With your word of the day, I'm Peter Sakalowski.

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