Joe Schmoe

English

Alternative forms

• Joe Schmo, Joe Shmo, Joe Shmoe

Etymology

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

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.

Related terms

• schmo

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.