Noodge

Origin

The word "noodge" comes directly from the Yiddish nudyen, meaning "to bore" or "to annoy." It arrived in the English lexicon, particularly in America, through the vibrant cultural exchange with Yiddish-speaking immigrants in the early to mid-20th century. While nudyen describes the act of persistent pestering, its close cousin nudnik refers to the person doing the pestering—a truly annoying individual. "Noodge" deftly captures both the action and the essence of that insistent, often well-intentioned but ultimately irritating, prodding.