schlocky
UK[ˈʃlɒki]US[ˈʃlɑːki]
adj
of poor quality; cheap, shoddy, or inferior
Etymology
the word 'schlocky' is a relatively recent english formation, entering the language in the mid-20th century. it is built directly upon the earlier noun 'schlock', which was borrowed from yiddish 'shlak', itself derived from german 'schlag', meaning a blow or strike. the semantic journey moved from the literal sense of a physical stroke to a metaphorical one for something wretched or of very poor quality, akin to being "struck" or damaged. the english adjectival suffix '-y' was then appended to this borrowed base, creating a word that characterizes goods or works as cheap, shoddy, and inferior.
Analysis
this word is a simplex form. it is derived from the yiddish word 'shlak', meaning an apoplectic stroke or a wretched thing, with the english adjectival suffix '-y' added.
Examples
the film was entertaining but had surprisingly schlocky special effects.
he runs a stall selling schlocky souvenirs to tourists.
the novel was dismissed as a piece of schlocky pulp fiction.