sad sack

noun

, Slang.

1. a pathetically inept person, especially a soldier, who continually blunders in spite of good intentions.

sad sack

noun

1. slang.
   an inept person who makes mistakes despite good intentions

Other Words From

• sad-sack adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sad sack¹

After the cartoon character created in 1942 by U.S. cartoonist George Baker (1915–75)

Word History and Origins

Origin of sad sack¹

C20: from a cartoon character created by G. Baker, US cartoonist

Idioms and Phrases

A singularly inept person, as in Poor George is a hopeless sad sack . This term alludes to a cartoon character, Sad Sack, invented by George Baker in 1942 and representing a soldier in ill-fitting uniform who failed at whatever he tried to do. It was soon transferred to clumsily inept civilians.

Example Sentences

But Martha isn’t just a sad sack; she is a convicted stalker.

From New York Times

The Chargers are a sad sack organization that will never build a team worthy of a talent like Herbert.

From Los Angeles Times

Post Malone, “Austin” On which our face-tattooed sad sack trades woozy rap beats for gleaming alt-rock guitars — then discovers that nirvana remains just out of reach.

From Los Angeles Times

Paul Matthews is a fiercely memorable loser, a sad sack who bristles with recognizably Cageian energy.

From Los Angeles Times

Would that Christmas sad sack be hosting a cooking show on TikTok?

From Seattle Times