schlemiels
Perpetually unlucky fools
Schlemiels is the plural of schlemiel, a Yiddish-derived term for an awkward, clumsy, or unlucky person—someone who spills the soup.
The schlemiel is distinguished from the schlimazel, who is the one the soup lands on.
Both words suggest chronic misfortune, but the schlemiel brings it on himself through bumbling ineptitude: Those schlemiels couldn't organize a two-car funeral.
Awkward, graceless person
- butterfingersClumsy dropper of things
- fumblerOne who mishandles objects
- blundererOne who errs clumsily
- bumblerHabitually clumsy person
oaf · clod · maladroit · inept · ham-handed · awkward · ungainly · lumbering
Ineffectual, timid person
- menschPerson of noble character
- kvetchHabitual grumbler
- chutzpahShameless, admirable audacity
- shtickPerformer's signature gimmick
kibitz · schmooze · klutz · schnook · putz · schmo · nudnik · schmuck
Exaggerated physical humor
- buffooneryLudicrous or silly conduct
- farceAbsurd, laughable situation
- pratfallComedic fall on buttocks
- vaudevilleTheatrical variety entertainment
burlesque · clowning · antic · caper · bumbling · laughingstock · absurdist · screwball
Prone to misfortune
- jinxedAfflicted with misfortune
- ill-fatedDestined to fail
- star-crossedDoomed by destiny
- cursedUnder a malevolent spell
luckless · snakebit · unfortunate · doomed · misfortunate · pitiable · woebegone · pitiful
klutz
Awkward, graceless person
- butterfingersClumsy dropper of things
- fumblerOne who mishandles objects
- blundererOne who errs clumsily
bumbler · oaf · clod · maladroit · inept · ham-handed · awkward · ungainly · lumbering · stumbler
nebbish
Ineffectual, timid person
shtick · kibitz · schmooze · klutz · schnook · putz · schmo · nudnik · schmuck · schlep
slapstick
Exaggerated physical humor
- buffooneryLudicrous or silly conduct
- farceAbsurd, laughable situation
- pratfallComedic fall on buttocks
vaudeville · burlesque · clowning · antic · caper · bumbling · laughingstock · absurdist · screwball · goofiness
unlucky
Prone to misfortune
- jinxedAfflicted with misfortune
- ill-fatedDestined to fail
- star-crossedDoomed by destiny
cursed · luckless · snakebit · unfortunate · doomed · misfortunate · pitiable · woebegone · pitiful · woeful
simpleton
Unintelligent person
nincompoop · bonehead · numbskull · nitwit · dolt · ignoramus · goofball · knucklehead · airhead · booby
schlemielsmasters
Those with dominion
experts · pros · virtuosos · hotshots · go-getters
schlemielssmooth operators
Socially adept persuaders
sophisticates · charmers · men of the world · women of the world