schlemiel
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
There is an old Yiddish joke: the schlemiel spills the soup; the schlimazel is the person it lands on.
From Salon ● Sep. 23, 2026
A Jew writing in German, “Kafka sees that the schlemiel loses. He sees it through to the tragic end,” as European Jewry soon would.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 22, 2026
Romano’s part here, as well-intentioned, Queens-dwelling, “Rocky”-quoting schlemiel Leo Russo, is a sort of enjoyably familiar hybrid of his previous roles.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 20, 2023
Played by Noah Segan, the film’s writer-director, Francis is Jewish and speaks Yiddish; sometimes schlep and schlemiel just make his points better.
From New York Times ● Dec. 9, 2022
He shoved me back, and like an utter schlemiel, I tripped over a branch and planted my butt in a shallow puddle.
From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros
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