shemozzle

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Definitions

  • n. A confused state of affairs, muddle, state of chaos and confusion.

  • n. An uproar, row.

  • v. To flee, abscond.

Example Sentences

  • "The debate about climate change and how to deal with it is a shemozzle."

  • “The umpire’s decision set off a terrific shemozzl.” (NJY)

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Languages of Origin

  • Yiddish

Etymology

  • שלימזל 'shlimazl,' from German schlimm 'bad' and Hebrew מזל 'luck'

      • Who Uses This

      • Older: Jews who are middle-aged and older
      • Ashkenazim: Jews with Ashkenazi heritage

      Regions

      • Great Britain
      • South Africa
      • Australia / New Zealand

      Dictionaries

      • The New Joys of Yiddish, by Leo Rosten and Lawrence Bush (New York, 2003[1968]).

      Alternative Spellings

      schemozzle, schemozzel, shemozzel, shemozzel, schemozzel, shemozel, schemozel, shemozl, shemozzl, schemozl, schemozzl, shlemozzl, schlemozzl, shlemozzel, schlemozzel

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