Kim asked Jacob M. Appel:

in ref to the Vermin Episode... I can understand about covering mirrors when one passes on, but what's the superstition (?) about stopping the clocks? Also out of curiosity sake is it a Jewish superstition, or something based in the Czech republic (or Slavic countries) and what is 'goy' (I think it was written in italics in the story)

Jacob M. Appel "Goy" (plural "goyim") is a Hebrew/Yiddish term for non-Jews. While it technically is not offensive -- a more offensive term would be sheketz for a male and skiksah for a woman -- is has acquired a pejorative connotation when used in contemporary English. Not that the plural is "goyim" not "goys," so "Goys & Dolls" is not a sexist musical about interfaith marriage. Unless you are writing a story set in pre-war Eastern Europe, it is a term best avoided.

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