Variant: also bup · kes or bup · kus
Pronunciation: ' b ə p-k ə s, ' bu ̇ p-
Function: noun plural but singular in construction
Etymology: Yiddish (prob. short for kozebubkes, literally, goat droppings), plural of bubke, bobke, diminutive of bub, bob bean, of Slavic origin; akin to Polish bób bean
Date: 1942
: the least amount : BEANS <won't win bubkes this year ― Ivan Maisel> also : NOTHING <received bubkes at nomination time ― Lewis Beale>