schlemiel
UK[ʃləˈmiːl]US[ʃləˈmiːl]
n
a consistently unlucky or inept person; a habitual bungler.
Etymology
the word 'schlemiel' entered english from yiddish (שלומיאל shlumiel), where it denotes a hopelessly incompetent person or a chronic loser. the yiddish term is believed to be derived from the hebrew personal name shelumiel (שְׁלֻמִיאֵל), found in the biblical book of numbers, though the semantic connection is folk-etymological, likely attributing unfortunate traits to a specific character. the name's literal hebrew meaning, "peace of god," stands in ironic contrast to the word's modern sense of comedic misfortune. through yiddish literature and humor, 'schlemiel' was adopted into american english to describe a archetypal, unlucky fool, solidifying its place in the lexicon of character types.
Analysis
the word is a simplex loanword from yiddish. it does not contain separable morphemes within modern english spelling.
Examples
he's a real schlemiel; he locked his keys in the car twice in one day.
in the story, the schlemiel accidentally spills soup on the guest of honor.
don't trust him with the delicate task—he's a lovable but total schlemiel.