Explanations/etymology also appreciated!

For Joe Shmoe, it means a very average or below average person. It’s a derivation of the practice of using “shm-” to dismiss something (eg “Practice shmactice. We’re already perfect”).

And “John Smith” is meant to be the most average name or person imaginable, so they have the “most common” (citation needed) first and last name as well.

  • CAPSLOCKFTW
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    45
    ·
    1 year ago

    Don’t forget Otto Normalverbraucher. Nobody cares about Otto Normalverbraucher.