klutz
UK[klʌts]US[klʌts]
n
a clumsy, awkward, or foolish person
Etymology
The word 'klutz' entered English in the mid-20th century as a direct borrowing from Yiddish 'klots', meaning a wooden beam or block. This Yiddish term itself derives from Middle High German 'klotz', with the same concrete meaning of a log or lump of wood. The semantic evolution from a solid, heavy block to a metaphor for a clumsy or awkward person is a clear and vivid example of a physical attribute being applied to human behavior. The term retains the vivid, slightly humorous connotation of its original imagery in modern English usage.
Analysis
The word is a simplex loanword from Yiddish. It is not productively segmented into meaningful sub-parts in English.
Examples
Don't let that klutz carry the antique vase.
I felt like a total klutz when I tripped on the stage.
He's a lovable klutz in the kitchen, always dropping utensils.