schlemihl
Born to fail
A schlemihl is a habitually unlucky or bungling person—someone who spills the soup.
The word comes from Yiddish and carries affectionate exasperation rather than harsh judgment.
The schlemihl is distinct from the schlimazel: the schlemihl spills the soup, the schlimazel is the one it lands on.
He's such a schlemihl, he locked his keys in the car twice this week.
Lacking dark silhouette
- FaustianSacrificing soul for gain
- novellaShort fictional book
- allegorySymbolic tale with deeper meaning
- deal with the devilUnholy exchange for advantage
outsider · identity · cautionary tale · doppelgänger · bargain · pact · loss of self · wanderer
Without good fortune
- jinxedAfflicted with misfortune
- ill-fatedDestined to fail
- star-crossedDoomed by destiny
- haplessLacking good fortune
cursed · snakebit · unfortunate · doomed · hard-luck · born loser · underdog · pitiable
shadowless
Lacking dark silhouette
- FaustianSacrificing soul for gain
- novellaShort fictional book
- allegorySymbolic tale with deeper meaning
deal with the devil · outsider · identity · cautionary tale · doppelgänger · bargain · pact · loss of self · wanderer · outcast
luckless
Without good fortune
- jinxedAfflicted with misfortune
- ill-fatedDestined to fail
- star-crossedDoomed by destiny
hapless · cursed · snakebit · unfortunate · doomed · hard-luck · born loser · underdog · pitiable · woebegone
bumbler
Habitually clumsy person
- fumblerOne who mishandles objects
- blundererOne who errs clumsily
- incompetentLacking necessary skill
inept · clumsy · hapless · awkward · butterfingers · oaf · stumbler · botcher · muddler · flounderer
nebbish
Ineffectual, timid person
kvetch · schmuck · putz · nudnik · kibitz · oy vey · mazel · mishap · bungler · sad sack