MovieChat Forums > Heist (2001) Discussion > Question about a word used in the movie.

Question about a word used in the movie.


Mamet's got a way with dialogue, as I'm sure most of you are aware. However, there's a word that's used in Heist that I can't seem to find translation for anywhere.

"Is that strict, you f--king vonce?"

The word is italicized both because it is of a foreign tongue and because that's the word I'm confused about.

Anybody know what it means?

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The word "vontz" is Yiddish and typically refers to cockroaches or other irritating but trivial insects.

Remeber, DeVito's character "Bergman" is Jewish.

The word also appears in an old episode of M*A*S*H where Hawkeye gets in trouble over a misunderstanding about a crossword he is having trouble completing.

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Is he Jewish?
Where'd that come up?

Stan: Oh My God Our Parents Are So Stupid Dude

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Mamet is Jewish so is it a surprise that some of the characters in his movies are?

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Idiot/block list:Gallus (et al), cindygreat, Saint Dubya, Kate_Dammit_I_am_Stupid

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Yeah, I thought that the only religious guy in it was Bob (Delroy)
When'd it come up that Mamet was Jewish?

Stan: Oh My God Our Parents Are So Stupid Dude

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[deleted]

When I first heard it, I thought it was "ponce," which is British slang for pimp or homosexual, but I'll go along with "vontz," considering Bergman's likely ethnicity. It's unlikely that a New York fur merchant would use British slang.

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