Updated M/W/F
 
Latest Profile
» William and Abe Feinbloom
Random Profile
» Surprise Me!
Archive Profile
» Nate Silver
 
Categories
  • Actors
  • Actresses
  • Artists
  • Athletes and Coaches
  • Businesspeople
  • Comedians
  • Directors
  • Fictional Characters
  • Historical Figures
  • Media
  • Musicians and Singers
  • Politicians
  • Religious Figures
  • Scientists
  • Sociopaths
  • Writers
  • [Uncategorized]


  •  
    List by Name
    List by Score
    List by Date
     
    About the Jew Score
    Suggestion Box
    FAQ
    Svengali

    Jew Score:
    9

    I5

    O4

    K0

    It's often interesting to find out the origin of words. Take "svengali", for instance.

    The Oxford Dictionary defines it as "a person who exercises a controlling or mesmeric influence on another, especially for a sinister purpose". Sounds eeeeeeeeeeeevil, doesn't it?

    And where does such an eeeeeeeeeeeevil word come from? Well, from "Trilby", a 19th century novel by George du Maurier. The title character is transformed into a famous singer by a hypnotist, Svengali.

    He would either fawn or bully, and could be grossly impertinent. He had a kind of cynical humour, which was more offensive than amusing [...] And his laughter was always derisive and full of malice. And his egotism and conceit were not to be borne; and then he was both tawdry and dirty in his person...

    Oh, and

    [He] flashed his bold, black, beady Jew's eyes into hers...

    It's often best not to know the origin of words...

    Verdict: Sadly, a Jew.

    February 6, 2013

    See Also

    Fagin

    Humbert Humbert

    Salatin

    Shylock

    Count of St. Germain
    © Jew or Not Jew, 2006-2024.