9
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
51 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

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.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[โ€“] 1 point 3 years ago (1 child)

In Italy the template names are "Tizio", "Caio" and "Sempronio" whose origin dates back to the Middle Ages when they were used in legal cases as default names, probably inspired to the Gracchi roman family (Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus and Gaius Sempronius Gracchus). Another common name often used in examples is "Mario Rossi".

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • hideshow 2 child comments
    •