Joe Schmoe

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English[edit]

Alternative forms[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From Joe (as in average Joe) and diminishing shm-reduplication, schm- +‎ Joe. Compare schmo § Etymology 1.

Proper noun[edit]

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.

Related terms[edit]

References[edit]

  • 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[1]
  • (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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