Joe Schmoe

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Joe (as in average Joe) and diminishing shm-reduplication, schm- +‎ Joe. Perhaps reinforced by the expression schmo (“dummy”).

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.
    Synonyms: Joe Average, Joe Bloggs, Joe Blow, Joe Doakes, Joe Public, Joe Q. Public, John Q. Public, J. Random User, man on the street
    Coordinate terms: John Doe, Jane Doe; Richard Roe, Jane Roe
    Near-synonyms: everyman; Tom, Dick or Harry; Joe Sixpack

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[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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