General Topics Putzing

[uni]

Somewhere on another thread the meaning of the word "putz" came up. I'm finally getting around to posting what I found out about it. There are a couple of derogatory definitions, but I'm leaving those out!

Putz, the noun:

- a decoration built around a representation of the nativity scene and traditionally placed under a Christmas tree in Pennsylvania Dutch homes (creche).

- a decoration or ornament in the Nativity tradition, usually placed under a Christmas tree.

- decorative miniature village elaborated from a nativity scene.

- nativity display around a Christmas tree

Putz, the verb

- to behave in an idle manner; putter

- engage in inconsequential or unproductive activity

- to work unproductively, dabble, tinker

- goof off, dawdle, take time doing unimportant things

- to behave idly, putter around, fool around

- to act idly "We're just putzing around with the stereo." (Stereo? What's a stereo? Never heard of one. Must be an antique or something. .)

The following example of so called "acting idly" is more like the putzing I was originally talking about:

- to act idly "I'm putzing around the house doing the weekly cleaning." How that is considered to be acting idly is beyond me! Same with when I "act idly" when I go to the bank, pay bills, check the oil in my car, etc. Putzing to me includes accomplishing things, but in bits and pieces.

- HOWEVER I cannot deny that much of my putzing is in fact related to the synonyms "fiddling around, fooling around, messing around, monkeying around, hanging around, hanging out, goofing off, and avoiding work".

Now you know more than you ever cared to about the word "putz" I have thoroughly enjoyed my time spent putzing around researching it. Now I'm off to putz around the house getting ready for my sister to arrive so we can go out and putz around town.

[paul m]

Hello Uni. Thx for the clarification, my education is now almost complete. I did not realize there were all those definitions.

There have been only two times that I have heard the word putz used. I saw it used in the movie Sunshine Boys. George Burns and Jack Lemon played grumpy old men. Burns and Lemon at one point had a feud on and weren't speaking. Lemon did something and Burns wrote the word Putz on a steamed over mirror. I think that might have been one of the derogatory ways that you allude too (the movie was really funny).

However I think that you missed one meaning. My wife, not infrequently, calls me a putz, I'm sure that she uses the word as a term of endearment LOL.

Seeing how you seem to have a little spare time on your hands, perhaps you could explain the difference between Pennsylvania Dutch and say, Ontario Dutch, Saskatchewan Dutch or for that matter Dutch Dutch LOL. Just Kidding. Glad to see that you are able to retain a sense of humour. Take Care. paul m

P.S. In regards to the term Stereos. They were something that every teenage boy had in his car along with an 8 track player in hopes of impressing teenage girls . You would be too young too remember this as 8 tracks were phased out by the mid 80's I think that there were other types of stereos too.

[uni]

I was going through my bookmarks and came across this:

Do you really accomplish anything putzing around the house?

http://www.organizingla.com/organizingla_blog/2009/08/do-you-really-accomplish-anything-putzing-around-the-house.html

It's the take on "putzing" that most matches my own. A fun little read

[paul m]

It was a good read, thx for posting it. Take Care. paul m