schlemiel
Definition
Noun: A consistently clumsy, awkward, or unlucky person; a habitual bungler or bumbler who often fails or causes minor disasters through ineptitude.
Usage
This noun is used to label a person characterized by chronic incompetence or a tendency to create messes through foolish actions. It often carries a tone of exasperated but somewhat affectionate criticism. * He's such a schlemiel; he spilled his drink, then slipped in the puddle he made. * Don't let that schlemiel handle the projector; he'll probably break it.
Advanced Usage
- The term often appears in contrast or conjunction with a "schlimazel," another Yiddish-derived term. A classic joke illustrates the difference: "A is the one who spills the soup. A schlimazel is the one it gets spilled on." The is the active agent of the misfortune.
Variants and Related Words
- Schlemielish (adjective, informal): Having the qualities of a schlemiel; clumsy, bumbling.
- His schlemielish attempt to fix the sink resulted in a flooded kitchen.
Synonyms
- Bungler
- Butterfingers (informal)
- Clod
- Incompetent
- Klutz (informal)
Idioms and Phrases
- To pull a schlemiel: To act in a characteristically bumbling or foolish manner.
- He really pulled a schlemiel at the meeting, knocking over the whiteboard and forgetting his notes.
Noun
-
(Yiddish) a dolt who is a habitual bungler
