shemozzle

shemozzle
\ \ [19] Shemozzle is one of a number of Yiddish words beginning with sh to have found their way into English. Most are relatively recent introductions, via American English – schlemielfool, blunderer’ [19] (possibly from a Biblical character Shelumiel who came to a sticky end), schlepcarry, lug’ [20] (ultimately from German schleppendrag’), schlocktrash’ [20] (originally ‘broken merchandise’, and so perhaps related to German schlagenhit’), schmaltzoversentimentality’ [20] (originally ‘melted fat’, and so distantly related to English smelt), schmuckfool, oaf’ [19] (literally ‘penis’) – but shemozzle is of an earlier vintage, brought by Jewish immigrants to the East End of London. It is a compound formed from Yiddish shlimbad’ and mazelluck’ (as in the Yiddish greeting mazel tovgood luck’), and was independently borrowed into American English as schlimazelloser, failure’ [20].

Word origins - 2ed. . 2005.

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  • shemozzle — [19] Shemozzle is one of a number of Yiddish words beginning with sh to have found their way into English. Most are relatively recent introductions, via American English – schlemiel ‘fool, blunderer’ [19] (possibly from a Biblical character… …   The Hutchinson dictionary of word origins

  • shemozzle — 1. noun a) A state of chaos or confusion; a muddle. b) A quarrel or rumpus. 2. verb To scarper …   Wiktionary

  • Shemozzle — 1. confused state of affairs; muddle; 2. uproar; row (originally British slang (late 19th C.), from Yiddish shlim mazel person who always has bad luck) …   Dictionary of Australian slang

  • shemozzle — Australian Slang 1. confused state of affairs; muddle; 2. uproar; row (originally British slang (late 19th C.), from Yiddish shlim mazel person who always has bad luck) …   English dialects glossary

  • shemozzle — [ʃɪ mɒz(ə)l] (also schemozzle) noun informal a state of chaos and confusion; a muddle. Origin C19: Yiddish, suggested by late Heb. šel lō mazzāl of no luck …   English new terms dictionary

  • shemozzle — she·moz·zle …   English syllables

  • shemozzle — /ʃəˈmɒzl/ (say shuh mozl) noun Colloquial 1. a confused state of affairs; muddle. 2. an uproar; row. Also, schemozzle. {Yiddish shlimazel bad luck, unlucky person; ? through British East End slang} …  

  • shemozzle —  1. Uproar. Commotion. Dispute.  2. Same as shebang …   A concise dictionary of English slang

  • shemozzle — n. (also schemozzle) sl. 1 a brawl or commotion. 2 a muddle. Etymology: Yiddish after LHeb. sel lo mazzal of no luck …   Useful english dictionary

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