Joe Schmoe

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Joe (as in average Joe) and diminishing shm-reduplication, schm- +‎ Joe. Schmoe (and alternate spellings) are thought by some linguists to be a clipping of schmuck, but this is not universally accepted.

Proper noun

Joe Schmoe

  1. (US, informal, derogatory or humorous) The typical, everyday person who does not have any special status, frequently in contrast to some group.

References
  • Feinsilver, Lillian Mermin, 1956, Schmo, Schmog, and Schnook, American Speech, Duke UP, Vol. 31 No. 3, pages 236-237.
  • (etymology) schmuck, Oxford English Dictionary, 1989, Oxford University Press
  • (etymology) Gold, David L., 1988, Review of Yiddish and English: A Century of Yiddish in America by Sol Steinmetz, American Speech, Duke UP, Vol. 63 No. 3, page 276.
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