schnook

[ shnook ]

noun

, Slang.

1. an unimportant or stupid person; dope.

schnook

/ ʃnʊk /

noun

1. slang.
   a stupid or gullible person

Word History and Origins

Origin of schnook¹

An Americanism dating back to 1945–50; of uncertain origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of schnook¹

from Yiddish shnok, variant of shmok schmo

Example Sentences

If you saw Hill on television or listened to any of his appearances on Howard Stern, you were likely to get the impression that Henry Hill was what your grandmother might call a schnook.

From New York Times

Mr. Beatty later told People magazine he was grateful simply for a chance to play a tough-minded businessman after a run of Southern-fried “schnooks.”

From Washington Post

Beatty later told People magazine he was grateful simply for a chance to play a tough-minded businessman after a run of Southern-fried “schnooks.”

From Seattle Times

“He’s never faced anything as long as I’ve known him. He thinks anything peculiar or unpleasant will just go away if he turns on the radio and some little schnook starts singing.”

From Literature

But we chose that archetype that we’ve used before: the schnook from Omaha.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• clodpoll