Nebbish and friends

A nebbish is a person regarded as weak-willed, timid or simple-minded. (From the Yiddish nebekh - a timid, unfortunate simpleton).

The best definition I ever heard of a nebbish was someone who upon entering a room makes you think someone has just walked out...



There are some other great words of Yiddish origin to describe folk. Words like nudnik : a pest, "pain in the neck"; a bore.

And schlemiel : an inept clumsy person; a bungler; a dolt.


Then there is shmendrik : a foolish or contemptible person.

And finally yenta : a talkative woman; a gossip; a scold.

If you want to insult someone there is always a Yiddish term that fits.