shmoe

Ordinary unremarkable person

A shmoe is an ordinary, unremarkable person—often one who is naive, easily fooled, or slightly pitiable.

The word carries affectionate condescension: Some poor shmoe got stuck with the bill.

From Yiddish, it suggests someone harmless but not particularly sharp.

Also spelled schmo or schmoe.

everyman

average Joe

Unremarkable common person

man on the street · everyman · schlub · nebbish · regular Joe · ordinary citizen · average person · little guy · working stiff · Joe Blow

fool

dimwit

Foolish, slow person

  • dopeSlang triple-threat term
  • chumpGullible fool
  • patsyEasily deceived victim

sucker · stooge · fall guy · simpleton · dummy · blockhead · nitwit · nincompoop · dunce · buffoon

Opposites
social status/importance

shmoesomebody

Unidentified individual

VIP · big shot · bigwig · celebrity · mover and shaker

intelligence/competence

shmoegenius

Person of rare brilliance

whiz · mastermind · virtuoso · sharp cookie · brainiac

sophistication/worldliness

shmoesophisticate

Worldly, cultured person

man of the world · woman of the world · slickster · smooth operator · wheeler-dealer

Phrases
Family

shmuck, shmoes

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