Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

joe schmoe

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 1.38 in modern English

Syllables
joe schmoe
IPA
23
Scrabble Score
9
Letters
1
Syllables
7
Unique Chars

Meaning

name

The typical, everyday person who does not have any special status, frequently in contrast to some group.

American usage; Derogatory; Humorous; Informal

Example Sentences

Etymology

1940s; from Joe (as in average Joe) and diminishing shm-reduplication, schm- + Joe. Perhaps reinforced by the expression schmo (“dummy”).

Usage

Inflected Forms

Joe Schmo (alternative) Joe Shmo (alternative) Joe Shmoe (alternative)

Frequently Paired Words

schmo John Doe Jane Doe Richard Roe Jane Roe

Synonyms

Joe Average Joe Bloggs Joe Blow Joe Doakes Joe Public Joe Q. Public John Q. Public J. Random User man on the street everyman Tom, Dick or Harry Joe Sixpack

Questions

What does joe schmoe mean?
The typical, everyday person who does not have any special status, frequently in contrast to some group.
Where does joe schmoe come from?
1940s; from Joe (as in average Joe) and diminishing shm-reduplication, schm- + Joe. Perhaps reinforced by the expression schmo (“dummy”).

How to pronounce joe schmoe

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “joe schmoe”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “joe schmoe”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “joe schmoe” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.