yech

Yech is an informal word you say when you think something is gross or disgusting. It means the same thing as yuck, which is much more common.

Yech is also sometimes spelled yecch.

It’s an interjection, which is a term used to express an emotion or indicate how you feel about something, typically outside of a sentence.

Yech is primarily used to indicate that you think a food is particularly disgusting or unappetizing. It can be used upon actually tasting something or simply upon looking at it, smelling, or maybe even feeling it—you might say yech if something feels slimy, for example.

Yech is also sometimes used to express disgust about other things, such as something filthy or unpleasant weather, as in It’s so hot and sticky outside. Yech.

The adjective yechy is based on yech and means gross, disgusting, or unappetizing. It means the same thing as yucky, which is much more common.

Example: Broccoli? Yech! I’d rather eat my own socks.

The first written records of the interjection yech come from around the 1960s, around the same time as yuck. But expressions like these have certainly been used for much longer. Expressive words like yech (and ew, which is first recorded around the same time) are formed in imitation of the sounds people make in reaction to things.

Yech is often associated with yechy foods, but it can be used in all kinds of contexts. You could say yech when you yourself are feeling sick, as in Yech, I hate feeling like this. You could say yech in response to stepping in something gross, or seeing the inside of a filthy dumpster, or smelling someone’s burp (I know—yech!). Yech can also be used in other less traditional ways, such as to indicate disgust at the prospect of doing something you don’t want to do, as in I have to spend the whole weekend studying. Yech. It can also be used in situations in which you encounter something that you want to jokingly say is nauseating, like a public display of affection that’s too public or too affectionate.

What are some other forms related to yech?

• yecch (alternate spelling)
• yechy (adjective)

What are some synonyms for yech?

• yuck
• yucko
• yuch
• ew
• gross
• ick

What are some words that often get used in discussing yech?

 

• disgusting
• food
• broccoli
• Brussels sprouts
• weather
• yum

Yech is very informal. The word yuck is more commonly used.

Peameal or "Canadian" bacon. Yech. https://t.co/LgNh67EARC

— Kate Taylor (@thiskatetaylor) September 16, 2020

I worked as a pizzamaker for years. Pineapple isn't as disgusting as double cheese, yecch.

— Richard Cole (@rickthaluddite) September 18, 2020

I'm opting out of golf today. Love the game, but not in this kind of weather. Hot, humid…yech. A/C is more like it.

— kbctourcompany (@kbctourcompany) August 9, 2009

 

 

Is yech used correctly in the following sentence?

Oh, yech, this yogurt expired seven years ago.