Re: Shlemiel shlimazl
Posted by ESC on June 22, 2003 In Reply to: Exprerssions from T.V. posted
by Craig on June 22, 2003
: Laverne and Shirley used to open their comedy series with, "Shlemeil,
Shemozzl ..." What does it mean?
I can help with the first two words of that bit:
From "The Joys of Yiddish" by Leo Rosten (Pocket Books, New York,
1996):
shlemiel, schlemiel, shlemiehl, shlemihl - carries a distinctive
note of pity. In fact, a shlemiel is often the nebech's (sad sack,
loser, nothing) twin brother. The classic definition goes: A shlemiel
is always knocking things off a table; the nebech always picks them
up.
shlimazl, shlimazel - chronically unlucky person; someone for whom
nothing seems to go right or turn out well.
I imagine the rest is a children's song. Are they playing hopscotch
when they sing it? I don't remember.
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