shlimazel
Born under misfortune
A shlimazel is a persistently unlucky person, someone for whom nothing goes right.
The word comes from Yiddish and often appears alongside *schlemiel*—the classic distinction being that a schlemiel spills soup, and the shlimazel is the one it lands on.
Also spelled *schlimazel*.
Afflicted with misfortune
- cursedUnder a malevolent spell
- hexedPlaced under curse
- star-crossedDoomed by destiny
- ill-fatedDestined to fail
snakebit · doomed · ill-starred · hapless · luckless · unfortunate · blighted · accursed
Mishandling through incompetence
- fumblingClumsy, uncoordinated handling
- ineptLacking skill or competence
- clumsyLacking physical coordination
- awkwardLacking grace or ease
blundering · bumbling · hapless · ineffectual · feckless · hopeless · incapable · maladroit
jinxed
Afflicted with misfortune
- cursedUnder a malevolent spell
- hexedPlaced under curse
- star-crossedDoomed by destiny
ill-fated · snakebit · doomed · ill-starred · hapless · luckless · unfortunate · blighted · accursed · hard-luck
bungling
Mishandling through incompetence
- fumblingClumsy, uncoordinated handling
- ineptLacking skill or competence
- clumsyLacking physical coordination
awkward · blundering · bumbling · hapless · ineffectual · feckless · hopeless · incapable · maladroit · butterfingered
nebbish
Ineffectual, timid person
kvetch · mensch · putz · schmuck · yente · chutzpah · shtick · bupkis · plotz · drek
underdog
Presumed loser beforehand
patsy · poor soul · born loser · sad sack · pitiable · wretched · forlorn
shlimazelgolden child
Family's most favored member
blessed · winner · success story · Midas touch · lucky duck