schlump

English

Alternative forms

schloomp

Etymology

Borrowed from Yiddish שלומפּ (shlump, “stupid, foolish, or inept person”). Compare obsolete German Schlumpe (modern Schlampe).

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /ʃlʌmp/
Audio (General Australian): (file)
Rhymes: -ʌmp

Noun

schlump (plural schlumps)

(slang, originally US) Someone who is lazy, slovenly, or dull-looking.
- 2009, J. Courtney Sullivan, Dating Up: Dump the Schlump and Find a Quality Man, Hachette, →ISBN:
  Leave the schlumps behind. You can't hope to find Mr. Right but continue to see Mr. Not-on-Your-Life.

Derived terms

Verb

schlump (third-person singular simple present schlumps, present participle schlumping, simple past and past participle schlumped)

(slang, intransitive) To move in a heavy, lazy or slovenly way.
- 2010, Jenyne M. Raines, Beautylicious!: The Black Girl's Guide to the Fabulous Life, Crown, →ISBN, page 98:
  After years of wearing her hair in braids and schlumping down Seventh Avenue all covered up in padded coats, sweaters, and undies, Wally reinvented herself as a hot tamale with a mane of wild ringlets and a Coca-Cola—shaped bod.
- 2015, Stevie Phillips, Judy & Liza & Robert & Freddie & David & Sue & Me…, St. Martin's Press, →ISBN, page 167:
  Al then schlumped upstage to the piano to talk with a man who could do anything asked of him. (Theater accompanists are an amazing lot. They can play anything you request in any tempo and in every key.)