"Shtick"

        President Obama tonight used the word "shtick" in response to a question asked him on TV about President Putin just before the opening ceremonies at the Russian Olympics.

       Obama said the "bored," "tough guy" face Putin often had in public was part of his "shtick."  Interesting to me that a black American leader would use about a white Russian leader a term I grew up with as Jewish "ghetto" language.  It's pure Yiddish.

       The etymology is "piece" or "bit," and shtick traces to Middle and Old High German.  It's defined as "a show-business routine, gimmick, or gag" or "a characteristic attribute, talent, or trait that is helpful in securing recognition or attention" to cite Merriam-Webster and American Heritage Dictionary respectively. 

       Putin's face is a "put-on," a shtick, says Obama.