schmear

Definition

A spread that goes on a bagel.

Etymology

Borrowed from Yiddish שמיר (shmir, “smear, spread”); compare German schmieren. Doublet of smear, smearcase. By surface analysis, schm- + smear. The sense “bribe” is from Yiddish שמירן (shmirn, “to smear, to bribe”), senses found also in German schmieren. The implication is that a bribe helps “lubricate” an interaction.

Example Sentences

• "So you can buy a la carte programming, or you can buy the whole schmear."