Mad #8 (Harvey Kurtzman) - Fershlugginer Issue - 1953
"Fershlugginer" (original spelling) and "furshlugginer" (most common spelling) are wonderful, all-purpose adjectives that seem to express frustration or disgust for something. By using this word, Kurtzman was able to swear without swearing. If "furshlugginer" is not a Yiddish word, it should be.
"Halavah" (a vairation of "halvah") is a Yiddish dish: flaky confection of crushed sesame seeds in a base of honey or other syrup (also called "sweetmeat"). Mad readers will recognize halvah as a ubiquitous menu item or food ingredient in every furshlugginer restaurant and grocery store.
Number 8 was the first issue that did not feature drawings by John Severin. He was replaced by six more pages of Kurtzman's "Hey Look!" [PSA1]
Melvin and Sherman switched names ("Frank N. Stein!" - page 4)
Departments:
Terror - Frank N. Stein! (Elder)
Western - Lone Stranger Rides Again! (Davis)
Collectors' Item - Hey Look! (Kurtzman)
Hero Worship - Bat Boy and Rubin! (Wood)