19th century, fromYiddishשלימיל(shlimil). Further origin uncertain; see the Yiddish for more.

The rather odd spelling with-ih- follows the use ofAdelbert von Chamisso in his well-known novellaPeter Schlemihl (1813). Von Chamisso probably avoidedSchlemiel because it could have suggested a trisyllabic pronunciation as inGabriel (though he might have spelt*Schlemil).

• IPA^(key):/ˈʃleːmiːl/

• Audio:

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Schlemihl m (strong,genitiveSchlemihls,pluralSchlemihle)

1. schlemiel

• Schlamassel