How widely used is the word "tush"

Question

In my dialect of American English, the word “tush” or “tushy” is a dimminuitive of “rear end” (e.g., something you’d say about a baby, not as harsh as “butt” and a word you aren’t ashamed to say to your mother). The word derives from Yiddish, and I am from a Jewish family in the New York area, so I’m generally understood when I say it.

How broadly is this word understood? What do folks who don’t use it say in its stead?

american english dialects etymology yiddish

How broadly is this word understood?  What do folks who don't use it say in its stead?

snori74 · Answer

In New Zealand English it's not used, but given reasonable context it might be understood (ie the meaning guessed).

The nearest equivalent would be "bottie" - we have a lot of diminutives formed with "-ie" like this.

Examples: 
"Nourishing and soothing, "Sweet As" baby's bottom balm helps keep your baby's bottie sweet as." - http://www.historicplaces.org.nz/shoponline_2013/healthandbeauty.aspx?sc_lang=en
"Great for quick nappy changes, with a generous bottie area allowing for bulky nappies, these newborn pants look great..." - http://www.thebabysroom.co.nz/category/pants

John M. Landsberg · Answer

It's a little difficult to say how widely it's understood, but I can say this: Whenever I've chosen to use that word, no matter who the listener is, they understand me. No one has ever said to me, "What's a tushie?" On the other hand, maybe context has always been effective in clearly implying the meaning.

As for what words others use instead, I imagine you can find a fairly comprehensive list in a number of locations, but I think what you're really asking is what euphemisms are used. Some of these are:

rear, rear end, seat, bottom, bum, seat cheeks, tail, behind, derriere, caboose, booty, trunk

And the list goes on.

user395059 · Answer

In Hebrew we use the word 'tusik'  which is like tush and it comes from the Yidish word 'tuches'. We usually use tusik when referring to babies but it can also be used among adults.

How widely used is the word "tush"

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