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A.Word.A.Day--zaftig zaftig (ZAF-tik, -tig) adjective Full-figured, pleasingly plump, buxom. [From Yiddish zaftik (juicy), from Middle High German (saftec), from saft (juice), from Old High German saf (sap).] "The generational conflict is set off between the blossoming Ana (America Ferrera), a Mexican-American teenager who has a chance to attend Columbia University on a scholarship, and her mother, Carmen (Lupe Ontiveros), who is determined that Ana follow convention and go to work with her in a Los Angeles sweatshop. Carmen's blithe cruelty comes out of love; she's ashamed of her daughter's zaftig figure and whittles away at Ana before the entire world." Elvis Mitchell, Full Figured and Ready to Fight (film review: Real Women Have Curves), The New York Times, Mar 22, 2002. This week's theme: Words borrowed from Yiddish X-Bonus And the day came when the risk it took to remain tight inside the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom. -Anais Nin, writer (1903-1977)

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