כָּשֵׁר
kasher
Kosher means fit under Jewish law, and it is said of food and of objects
What it means
Kasher is the Hebrew word for fit or proper. English took the form kosher from Yiddish, which has the Ashkenazi pronunciation. Food that meets the Jewish dietary laws, called kashrut, is kosher: those laws allow certain animals and not others, and keep meat and milk apart.
When Israelis say it
In Israel kasher is what a restaurant, shop or product says when it follows kashrut. The opposite for food is treif, and for an object it is pasul, unfit. In English kosher has also become an everyday word for acceptable and above board, as in a deal that does not sound kosher.
Frequently asked questions
Is kosher the same as halal?
No. Halal is the Islamic counterpart of kosher, and each has its own rules.
Is kosher a Hebrew word?
Yes. Kosher is the Yiddish pronunciation of the Hebrew kasher, which means fit.
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