does it come from german or yiddish?
2006-11-04 12:09:52 · 6 answers · asked by wm_h2002 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
The word schmuck has become common in American English meaning a detestable person, or a jerk. The word also means a stupid or idiotic person. In these senses, schmuck entered English as a borrowed word from the Yiddish slang for foreskin.
2006-11-04 19:46:19 · answer #1 · answered by NY gal 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It comes from E.Yiddish (shmok [penis]), from Old Polish (smok[grasssnake , dragon]). Not to be confused with German SCHMUCK meaning jewellery or ornaments.
It meant "contemptable person" but now leans more toward "jerk"
2006-11-04 12:55:40 · answer #2 · answered by Donald G 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
French
2006-11-04 12:37:13 · answer #3 · answered by ? 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Definitely Yiddish, which is a dialect of German, and definitely NOT Hebrew.
2006-11-04 12:39:41 · answer #4 · answered by Alan Turing 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
i believe this is a yiddish slang term for someone who is stupid or ignorant
2006-11-04 12:15:01 · answer #5 · answered by curious george 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It coes from Hebrew. (Yiddish)
2006-11-04 12:16:31 · answer #6 · answered by PANCHO 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋