schlemiel
pronunciation
How to pronounce schlemiel in British English:
UK [ʃlə'mi:l]
How to pronounce schlemiel in American English:
US [ʃlə'mil]
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- Noun:
- (Yiddish) a dolt who is a habitual bungler
Word Origin
- schlemiel
- schlemiel: see shemozzle
- schlemiel (n.)
- "awkward, clumsy person," 1868, from Yiddish shlemiel "bungler," from main character in A. von Chamisso's German fable "The Wonderful History of Peter Schlemihl" (1813), probably from Biblical name Shelumiel (Num. i:6), chief of the tribe of Simeon, identified with the Simeonite prince Zimri ben Salu, who was killed while committing adultery. Compare schlemazel.
Example
- 1. My husband is such a schlemiel -- he gave us $ 50 to some con artists .