schlemiel

[ shluh-meel ]

/ ʃləˈmil /

an awkward and unlucky person for whom things never turn out right.

Origin of schlemiel

1890–95; < Yiddish shlemil < Hebrew shəlumīʾēl Shelumiel, a Biblical and Talmudic figure

Ten years after its publication a new kind of lamp, which cast no shadow, was named the Schlemihl lamp.

Main Currents in Nineteenth Century Literature, Vol. II (of 6): The Romantic School in Germany |Georg Brandes
Chamisso was often pestered with questions respecting what he really meant by the story of Schlemihl.

Peter Schlemihl etc. |Adelbert Chamisso
To his friends—if the few who were aware of his existence could be called friends—he was a Schlemihl (a luckless fool).

Dreamers of the Ghetto |I. Zangwill
There is a haunting cold brightness about the Schlemihl etchings.

George Cruikshank |W. H. Chesson

Among the characters were the grey man, and a certain Albert, probably intended for Schlemihl.

Peter Schlemihl etc. |Adelbert Chamisso

schlemiel

/ (ʃləˈmiːl) /

US slang an awkward or unlucky person whose endeavours usually fail

Yiddish, from German, after the hero of a novel by Chamisso (1781–1838)