Schmuck Meaning

Schmuck: The Real Meaning Schmuck, according to Webster Dictionary, is a noun meaning “a foolish or contemptible person” - also a pejorative word expressing content or disapproval(Webster Dictionary). Originating from its Yiddish roots, Schmuck originally was spelled as shmok meaning penis though was changed to the current meaning in the late 19th century.

The first and most important thing that needs to be addressed is the question that some might not know, that being, what is Yiddish? Though most people do have an understanding that Yiddish is the language that the Jewish population came to adapt, the core of the language is important to understand or at least grasp when trying to understand the quite infamous word, schmuck. The Jewish/German

By acknowledging the Jewish-American culture; i.e. The Joys of Yiddish-”Never use Schmuck Lightly or in the Presence of Children/Women; It allows the public to become aware of how to use the word and when and where to use the word(New York TImes). Due to the publication of the book, pop culture has grasped onto the word schmuck and has changed its meaning to one of calling someone a “jerk” or “idiot”(Wikipedia). As well as having pop culture today changing the original meaning of schmuck, it still holds its traditional Yiddish meaning in the Jewish-American culture. Today, schmuck is often viewed as a euphemism and is “euphemized as schmoe”, meaning the same thing as schmuck, though this time having not as harsh of context as the origin schmuck. Pop culture has greatly affected the use of the word schmuck, one prime example is its use in bodybuilding. Even though pop culture changed how schmuck is used, in bodybuilding it still has its harsh and vulgar annotation as in its original Yiddish meaning. Being used as “schmoe or smos”, it is a way that one would describe “a wealthy weak man who pays bodybuilders money for private posing sessions, wrestling,