schmo

Clueless average guy

A schmo is an ordinary, unremarkable person—often one who's a bit foolish or easily taken advantage of.

The word comes from Yiddish and carries mild contempt or affectionate dismissal: Some schmo from the home office wants to see the reports.

Also spelled schmoe.

The related schlemiel and schmuck occupy nearby territory.

fool

sucker

Easily fooled person

  • chumpGullible fool
  • dupeDeceive or victim
  • sapPlant circulatory fluid

patsy · pushover · easy mark · fall guy · stooge · gull · pigeon · softie · simpleton · boob

Yiddish

schlep

Awkward, effortful journey

schnook · kvetch · klutz · chutzpah · maven · mensch · nebbish · putz · yutz · gonif

affectionate

harmless

Causing no injury

bumbling · endearing · sympathetic · pitiable · unfortunate · schlub · sad sack · poor soul

ordinary

average

Arithmetic mean or ordinary

nondescript · forgettable · undistinguished · unexceptional · run-of-the-mill · garden-variety · nobody · nonentity · insignificant · anonymous

everyman

Joe

Common masculine name

man on the street · layman · working stiff · rank and file · nine-to-fiver · Joe Sixpack · Joe Blow · John Q. Public · little guy

Categories
Opposites
intelligence and competence

schmogenius

Person of rare brilliance

whiz · brainiac · mastermind · brain · sharp cookie

social status and importance

schmoVIP

Notable, for short

big shot · somebody · mover and shaker · bigwig · heavyweight

sophistication and worldliness

schmosophisticate

Worldly, cultured person

smooth operator · man of the world · operator · slickster · sharpie

Phrases
Family

schmuck, schmoes, schlemiel, schmucks, schmoe, schmos

Familiarity
Top 500,000
Profile
Mostly American · Timeless · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated G