Nebbish

A “nebbish” (NEB-ish) – from the Yiddish for “poor, unfortunate” – is a weak-willed, timid, or ineffectual person.

Example (as used by Maira Kalman in her children’s book Max in Hollywood, Baby): “You used to be a nebbish, a noodle, a fool / And now you’re Mr. Big Time with your own private pool.”

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