Have you ever seen the word "tchotchke"? At first glance, it looks like a strange mix of letters. You might even think that it is spelled "chachki". Well, here's the thing: this is a real word with a place in the Merriam-Webster dictionary and it starts with a silent "t".
So where exactly does this word come from? How do you pronounce that? We'll get into that and more in this guide to all things.gossip!
- What is a tchotchke?
- How to pronounce tchotchke
- examples of tchotchkes
- Origin of the word "tchotchke"
- Are promotional items nonsense?
What is a tchotchke?
ANgossipIt is defined as an inexpensive item that is usually decorative rather than functional. These little trinkets hang on desks at the office, on shelves at home, or on top of clothing, adding a little personality.
Tchotchkes are just plain fun! If you're a stickler for minimalism and uncluttered spaces, they can feel like a waste. However, it's perfectly fine to have them if they make you happy!
Synonyms for the word "tchotchke" include: trinket, trinket, novelty, and bric-à-brac.
How to pronounce tchotchke?
They like to say the word "tchotchkes".Chotkeys. The "t" before it is completely silent both times, making it a frustrating word to learn to spell.
The correct spelling of "tchotchke" is with a silent "t" in front, as in the word "tsunami". People misspelled "tchotchke" like this:
- Tschotskie
- Chotkey
- Chochkey
- chatsky
- All
- Tschochka
- Tschotka
AfterGramafobia,the "t" is silent in words like "tchotchkes", "listen", and "beret" because it's too difficult or awkward to pronounce the letter with the consonants surrounding it.
This still doesn't explain why we need the "t" in the first place, but it does help clarify why some words are pronounced in unexpected ways. Now, who can explain "mosquito" and "mnemonics"?
What are some examples of trinkets?
Perhaps you have trinkets that grace your bookshelf or desk at home. Maybe your grandma had a closet full of cat statues.
"Tchotchke" is a general term for anything that has a decorative purpose. It could be the random items you find in your Christmas stocking, the prizes at the bottom of a cereal box, or the trinkets you buy at stores like Hot Topic.
The following items would be considered "bells and whistles":
- funko pop toy
- statues and figures
- garden gnomes
- snowball
- keychain
- buttons and pins
- lego games
- collectibles
- bobble heads
- sculptures
- decorative lights
- fake flowers and plants
- cushions
- Ornaments
- Stuffed animals
- Christmas decoration
- salt and pepper
- Decorative cups and bowls
- signs and flags
- wall hooks
- candles
- stress balls
- Molinillos
As mentioned earlier, tchotchkes have no real purpose. You generally can't use them for anything other than putting them somewhere and enjoying the way they look.
Where does the word tchotchke come from?
The word "tchotchke" has an intriguing origin. It's actually Yiddish. American Jews, especially those in New York City, use this word to describe not just random jewelry, but beautiful women as well.
"Tchotchkes" are now almost always associated with the promotional goods industry. You'll hear this word at trade shows, conferences and other B2B and B2C events.
What are the pros and cons of buying trinkets?
You might not know whether to buy this cool snow globe from the gift shop. After all, the last thing you want is to feel the buyer regret the moment they get home. Consider the pros and cons of buying this tchotchke!
Benefits of Tchotchkes
If you're interested in promoting a company or cause, you can get a lot of attention by having your name or logo printed on jewelry. People love these little things for many reasons.
Here are the benefits of tchotchkes:
- make people talk– People who receive a free legal tchotchke are20% more likely to talk about it on social media.
- Increase happiness and connection– Giving and receiving gifts, even if it’s a little silly, has been shown to make you happier and more likely to strike up a conversation.
- attract more customers–83% of peopleThey're more likely to do business with a company if you give them something for free, even if it's just plain silly.
- More attention– A study by Exhibit Surveys Inc. found that booths with trinkets on display had a higher turnout at trade shows than companies that showed up with nothing.
- Increases creativity and energy- IT ISJournal of Environmental PsychologyYou've found that decorating your workspace with items like trinkets makes you feel more productive, inspired, and energized.
People like to get free stuff and are likely to tell others when they do. In addition, they will feel happier and more energetic when they receive a beautiful new decoration. These are all good reasons to invest in trinkets!
Disadvantages of Tchotchkes
Some jewelry is considered a waste of money and resources. Let's consider that side of the argument as well.
Here are the cons of tchotchkes:
- bad for the environment- Creating Tchotchkes can consume a lot of resources, and even worse, it can end up in the trash. This is alarming, as theAn average American throws 5 pounds a day into landfills..
- Bad quality– Although this is not always the case, there are trinkets that break or fall apart easily. They also look cheap and a little fancy.
- create chaos- In this crowded world, the last thing you need is more stuff and clutter. Bad tchotchkes are unwieldy and just take up space or storage space.
- not forever– People buy new things all the time, so eventually they might get bored with your gossip. If it's something they don't completely love, it could end up in the goodwill donation pile.
- easy to miss– Certain trinkets are thrown in a drawer and forgotten. Others sit on your shelves for so long that they collect dust and you barely notice them. The novelty of these items eventually wears off.
value is everything. They don't want to buy jewelry just for the sake of buying it. Take the time to look for something unique and useful, but also affordable.
Are promotional items nonsense?
Not all promotional items are jewelry. The loot listed below is constantly requested, with each item being more useful than the last.
custom vases
Drinkware has a moment. In fact, it's super trendy to wear oneelegant drink bottle, glass, jar or cup. You can't go wrong with customizing an Instagram ready mug!
bound magazines
Want your promotional gifts to have some class? go with sophisticatedbound magazines! They fit easily in a pocket and are perfect for to-do lists and meeting notes.
promotional bags
canvascanvas bagsThey are very popular, especially at trade shows and conferences. Give your bags a special touch by choosing an elegant material such as jute or juteCotton.
individual clothes
The outfits are always a crowd pleaser and definitely not goofy. you would never play onecardiganon your shelf and forget about it!
kitchen utensils
There are a plethora ofkitchen utensilsYou can customize with your design, from bowls and plates to beaters and cutting boards.
The Yoga Mat
In this busy world, more and more people are turning to yoga and meditation. These yogis can remember their brand every day by adding their logo to a squishyyoga food.
hand sanitizer
There are a lot of germs out there, especially in public places! ANportable hand sanitizerIt protects you and prevents harmful bacteria from entering your system.
cell phone chargers
We are all glued to our phones. It will be easier to charge 100% of people if you distributecustom chargersor Power Bricks as a free giveaway at your next event.
In general, the more useful an article is, the less likely it is to be considered nonsense. Mugs, clothes, phone chargers, yoga mats... these are things that people can use in their daily lives.
final thoughts
A tchotchke doesn't have to be cheap and useless. It's up to you to not only choose gifts that people love and that reflect your personality. If you are a business owner, you need to think about how to create your own.promotional keychainÖstress ballsdraw attention. Make it worth it!
gossip inlogo® quality productsCheck all the boxes. Quality is literally in our name. You can find fun little gifts that fit your budget but don't fall apart after five minutes. They will be used and loved by their recipients for years to come!
references
Vocabulary. Tchotchke. received from,https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/tchotchke
DiGiose, N. (August 21, 2019). Nine facts about gifts you didn't know. received from,https://www.1800flowers.com/c/unique-gifts
White, M. (2013, June 24). 5 ways companies win by distributing free content. received from,https://business.time.com/2013/06/24/5-ways-companies-win-by-giving-stuff-away/
McNulty, G. (2018, January 1). How decorating your workspace will benefit you and your business. received from,https://team-prestige.com/blog/workspace/decorating-your-workspace-benefits/
Houston, C. (June 28, 2019). Why promotional gifts are important at trade shows. received from,https://www.godelta.com/blog/por-que-los-regalos-en-ferias-comerciales-son-importantes
Borenstein, S. (September 21, 2015). The US government has grossly underestimated the amount of garbage we put in landfills. received from,https://www.businessinsider.com/ap-study-twice-as-much-trash-put-in-landfills-than-estimated-2015-9
grammatical phobia. (2012, January 2). Why is "T" often silent? received from,https://www.grammarphobia.com/blog/2012/01/silent-t.html
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