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What's the "Joe Shmoe" of different cultures? Or the "John/Jane Smith"? (lemm.ee)
submitted 3 years ago by to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml
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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.

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[–] 0 points 3 years ago* (4 children)

Denmark -

Brian <- A name, but also a slur for people considered 'hillbilly'. Very frequently used against people who drive cheap tuner hatchbacks. Said cars can be referred to as Brian Cars.

Peter Jensen <- Also a name, but it's become notorious in Jutland because it feels like everyone is immediately related to someone with this exact first and last name.

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  • [–] 2 points 3 years ago

    I think more generally people use " hr. og fru Jensen" for a more exact analog of "John/Jane Smith"

    But Peter Jensen was the most common name in Denmark for many years, so you're not completely wrong.

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  • [–] 1 point 3 years ago

    Interesting. In the UK (at least when I was growing up, I haven't lived there for some time) we called doing up shit cars as Barry-ing them. I know in other parts of the country they used the name Ned or Kev to refer to the people that drove those cars.

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