We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Linguistics

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Tzotchke?

Michael Pollick
By
Updated: May 23, 2024
Views: 14,687
Share

Some may call an inexpensive souvenir or a kitschy gift item a knick knack, a dust collector or a trinket. The Yiddish language gives us yet another word to describe such a piece; a tzotchke. A tzotchke, also rendered as chachki or chotchkey in certain sources, literally translates as "piece" from the original Hebrew word katikha. Virtually every tourist destination in the world will have at least one tzotchke store nearby, if not an entire street or village of them.

A tzotchke store located near the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France would most likely offer cheap plastic snow globes of the tower, along with key chains, souvenir spoons, small French flags, and inexpensive berets embroidered with an image of the tower. Tzotchke stores near the Vatican would offer similar trinkets or memorabilia of the Pope or other religious icons. Tourists would most likely purchase a few tzotchkes as gifts for their friends back home or as affordable tokens of their trip.

The term tzotchke has come to imply cheaply manufactured or kitschy items with little intrinsic value. While many may consider a collection of tzotchkes to be a little tacky, the little trinkets and knick knacks do work as conversation pieces. Only a person who has actually visited Mount Rushmore or Disneyland would actually have access to certain tzotchke stores, so the trinkets do provide some street cred for frequent travelers.

Some products originally dismissed as worthless tzotchkes can acquire significant value over time. Opportunistic vendors once produced thousands of inexpensive tzotchkes such as snow globes and plastic purses which featured the images of the Beatles, for example. Some of those cheaply produced items are now considered quite collectible, although many mass-produced tzotchkes are not. Other trinkets and knick knacks bearing the images or names of Disney characters or famous musicians such as Elvis Presley can also become valuable over time.

While few souvenir shops promote their offerings as tzotchkes, most tourists and local citizens are aware of the commercial nature of the stores. Authentic wooden shoes may be purchased from local craftsman in Holland, for instance, but a tzotchke store in Amsterdam may offer cheaper versions with "Welcome to Holland" or other tourist-related imagery emblazoned on them. Some visitors do not have the luxury of shopping in town, so they will often pick up tzotchkes in a souvenir shop or airport to commemorate their trip.

Share
Language & Humanities is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Michael Pollick
By Michael Pollick
As a frequent contributor to Language & Humanities, Michael Pollick uses his passion for research and writing to cover a wide range of topics. His curiosity drives him to study subjects in-depth, resulting in informative and engaging articles. Prior to becoming a professional writer, Michael honed his skills as an English tutor, poet, voice-over artist, and DJ.
Discussion Comments
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick
As a frequent contributor to Language & Humanities, Michael Pollick uses his passion for research and writing to cover a...
Learn more
Share
https://www.languagehumanities.org/what-is-a-tzotchke.htm
Copy this link
Language & Humanities, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

Language & Humanities, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.