I don't know Russian or Yiddish, but could it mean something like Poor House or something of that nature... The Cranky genee On Sun, 03 Feb 2002 21:26:46 -0500, Dexter Kenfield <dekester@mindspring.com> wrote: >I'm having trouble reading an entry for Occupation in the 1920 census. > >The relevant portion of the page is at: >http://dkenfield.home.mindspring.com/graphics/blowup.jpg > >The line below the "none" entry is the problem. > >It looks to me like the first word is "Examiner" and the third word is >"House." > >Second word? Meaning? It makes little sense to me. > >This is a Russian Jewish family in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. > >Appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks much for all the suggestions. The middle word looked like "waist" to me also, although the form of the "t" is odd and differs from others on the page. But I couldn't make any sense of it. I like the idea suggested by several that "waist" is a garment -- I've never encountered that usage, although of course "shirtwaist" is familiar. Gives me an interesting line for further research. Thanks again.