joe schmoe

English - English

Definition of joe schmoe in English English dictionary

The typical, everyday person who does not have any special status, frequently in contrast to some group

Hyphenation

Joe schmoe

Etymology

() Derivative of Joe (as in average Joe). Adding a schm- or shm- to the beginning of a word is meant to diminish, negate, or dismiss an argument (for instance, "rain, schmain, we've got a game to play"). This process was adapted in English from the use of the "shm" prefix in Yiddish to dismiss something; as in, "fancy, schmancy." While "Schmoe" (and alternate spellings) are thought by some linguists to be a clipping of Yiddish schmuck ("penis") but not universally accepted.