schmear

or schmeer

[ shmeer ]

noun

, Slang.

1. a dab, as of cream cheese, spread on a roll, bagel, or the like.
2. a number of related things, ideas, etc., resulting in a unified appearance, attitude, plan, or the like (usually used in the phrase the whole schmear ).
3. a bribe.

verb (used with object)

, Slang.

1. to spread; smear:

   Schmear it on the bread.

2. to bribe.

schmear

/ ʃmɪə /

noun

1. informal.
   a situation, matter, or affair (esp in the phrase the whole schmear )

Word History and Origins

Origin of schmear¹

First recorded in 1930–35 schmear fordef 5, and 1955–60 schmear fordef 4; apparently from Yiddish shmirn “to smear, grease”; compare Middle High German smirwen ( German schmieren ); smear

Word History and Origins

Origin of schmear¹

C20: from Yiddish shmirn to smear or grease

Example Sentences

The bread was thin and appropriately crumbly, the pate a nice thick schmear and the jalapeño provided quite a kick.

From Seattle Times

They ferment overnight, then she boils and bakes them in the a.m. “to enjoy with Costco lox, an excessive amount of schmear and my morning coffee.”

From Seattle Times

Rob: Oh, yeah, like fold it into cream cheese for a schmear on a bagel.

From Seattle Times

“I think my Judaism is Sarah Silverman and a bagel with schmear.”

From New York Times

Some had a thick schmear of tomato, others just a scrape of orange sauce; a few crusts had the puffy, raised edge characteristic of Neapolitan pizza, but others were flat, like Midwestern tavern pizza.

From New York Times