Joe Shmoe

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This page is about a fictional name. For the TV series, see The Joe Schmo Show.

Joe Shmoe (also spelled Joe Schmoe) is one of the most commonly used fictional names in American English. It is used to identify the typical, everyday person who does not have any special status, frequently in contrast to some group. Adding a "Shm" to the beginning of a word is meant to diminish, negate, or dismiss an argument. This process was adapted in English from the use of the "Shm" prefix in several Yiddish words that have negative meanings.

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