What is Shmears? Definition and Examples of Usage

Shmears (also spelled shmeers or shmirs) is a Yiddish word that refers to a small amount of something, typically food or money. It is often used to describe a small portion or a little bit of something that is left over or spare.

For example, if someone has a small amount of food left over after a meal, they might say "I have a few shmears of bread left" or "I have some shmears of potatoes leftover." Similarly, if someone has a small amount of money left over after paying for something, they might say "I have a few shmears of change left."

The word "shmear" is derived from the Yiddish word "shmeer," which means "to smear" or "to spread." It is likely that the word was originally used to describe a small amount of something that was spread out or smeared onto a surface. Over time, the word evolved into its modern usage as a term for a small amount of something in general.