Lenny Bruce

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When Yiddish Met english
Since the 1960’s, Jewish American humor has been highlighting its ethnic distinctiveness instead of hiding it. The trailblazing stand-up comedian, Lenny Bruce (Leonard Schneider, 1924-1966), offered biting satire about life in America, which he drew from his Jewish identity. he combined Yiddish and english and created a kind of new language – “Yinglish.” Comical references to “shiksas” and “goys” (non-Jews) were a regular part of his act. Lenny Bruce’s routines touched on subjects previously considered taboo – including racism, mental illness and problems in the bedroom. he consequently became the target of persecution by the surrounding cultural and legal establishment.