kibitz

[kib-its] /ˈkɪb ɪts/
verb (used without object)
1.
to act as a kibitzer.
verb (used with object)
2.
to offer advice or criticism to as a kibitzer:
to kibitz the team from the bleachers.
Origin
1925-30, Americanism; < Yiddish kibetsn, equivalent to German kiebitzen to look on at cards, derivative of Kiebitz busybody, literally, lapwing, plover
Can be confused
kibbutz, kibitz.
Examples from the web for kibitz
  • Two polyester-clad cronies kibitz while mannequins gyrate in a storefront window in the background.
  • Moms can kibitz and kvell about why their kids are such a great catch and what they're looking for in a match.
British Dictionary definitions for kibitz

kibitz

/ˈkɪbɪts/
verb
1.
(intransitive) (US & Canadian, informal) to interfere or offer unwanted advice, esp as a spectator at a card game
Derived Forms
kibitzer, noun
Word Origin
C20: from Yiddish kibitzen, from German kiebitzen to be an onlooker, from Kiebitz busybody, literally: plover
Word Origin and History for kibitz
v.

1927, from Yiddish kibitsen "to offer gratuitous advice as an outsider," from German kiebitzen "to look on at cards, to kibitz," originally in thieves' cant "to visit," from Kiebitz, name of a shore bird (European pewit, lapwing) with a folk reputation as a meddler, from Middle High German gibitz "pewit," imitative of its cry. Young lapwings are proverbially precocious and active, and were said to run around with half-shells still on their heads soon after hatching.

Slang definitions & phrases for kibitz

kibitz

noun

: Ixnay on the kabitz. Get me?

verb
  1. To give intrusive and unrequested advice while watching a game, performance, etc: He was kibitzing us all the way
  2. To banter, comment: We were kibitzing around

[1920s+; fr Yiddish fr German Kiebitz, ''peewit, lapwing,'' a noisy little bird]