Schmuck (pejorative): Difference between revisions
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In [[German language]] the word refers to [[jewelry]], a [[trinket]] or a [[brooch]], but its etymology is unrelated to the Yiddish word. Coincidentally, the Yiddish word is borrowed into german too, however spoken and written 'Schmock'. |
In [[German language]] the word refers to [[jewelry]], a [[trinket]] or a [[brooch]], but its etymology is unrelated to the Yiddish word. Coincidentally, the Yiddish word is borrowed into german too, however spoken and written 'Schmock'. |
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Example: Look at Zaki, what a schmuck! I prefer his mom. |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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Revision as of 20:46, 4 April 2010
Schmuck is most often used in American English as a pejorative or insult, meaning an obnoxious, contemptible person; one who is stupid, foolish, or detestable.
Variants of spelling and alterations include shmuck, schmo and shmo.
Schmuck entered English as a borrowed pejorative from the common Yiddish insult, where it is an obscene term for penis.[1] Its etymology is uncertain. The Online Etymology Dictionary derives it from the Polish word smok for dragon, as a euphemism for "penis".[2]
In his book "How to Talk Dirty and Influence People," standup comedian Lenny Bruce wrote that he was arrested "by a Yiddish undercover agent" for saying the word "schmuck" onstage.
In German language the word refers to jewelry, a trinket or a brooch, but its etymology is unrelated to the Yiddish word. Coincidentally, the Yiddish word is borrowed into german too, however spoken and written 'Schmock'.
Example: Look at Zaki, what a schmuck! I prefer his mom.
See also
References
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