dreidel
/ˈdreɪd(ə)l
/(also dreidl)
noun North American
A small four-sided spinning top with a Hebrew letter on each side, used in Jewish gambling games, especially at Hanukkah.Schools planning ‘holiday season’ programs have been instructed to not include any icons or images in their pamphlets or concert programs that might be construed as religious symbols; for example, Christmas trees or dreidels....
- The holidays are rich with traditions, from exchanging gifts and spinning dreidels to more personalized rituals like sharing family recipes and lending a helping hand at local shelters.
- Sleigh bells are ringing, dreidels are spinning, and your two-week vacation is just around the corner.
Origin
1930s: from Yiddish dreydl; compare with German drehen 'to turn'.