different between clumsy vs palooka

English

Etymology

Possibly from an alteration of clumsed (“benumbed”) or from clumse (“a stupid fellow; lout”) +? -y. More at clumse.

Pronunciation

• (UK, US) IPA^(key): /?kl?mzi/

Adjective

clumsy (comparative clumsier, superlative clumsiest)

1. Awkward, lacking coordination, not graceful, not dextrous.

   He's very clumsy. I wouldn't trust him with carrying the dishes.

2. Not elegant or well-planned, lacking tact or subtlety.

   It is a clumsy solution, but it might work for now.

   What a clumsy joke...

3. Awkward or inefficient in use or construction, difficult to handle or manage especially because of shape.

Translations

Noun

clumsy (plural clumsies)

1. (informal, fairly rare) A clumsy person.
   • 1934, P. L. Travers, Mary Poppins

     “Well, you are a clumsy,” said Ellen, as she bent down to mop up the water. “That was for your father’s shaving.”

Synonyms

• butterfingers
• galoot
• klutz

Translations

See also

• clumsies

Anagrams

• cumyls, muscly

English

Etymology

Used in the US since the 1920s, originally primarily of boxers. Popularized by Jack Conway of Variety, who also popularized baloney and bimbo. Further popularized by Ham Fisher in his comic strip Joe Palooka, about a boxer (published in newspapers since 1930, particularly popular in 1940s).

Pronunciation

Noun

palooka (plural palookas)

1. (US slang) A stupid, oafish or clumsy person.
2. (US, boxing, bridge and similar ventures) Someone incompetent or untalented.
   • 1923, Lincoln Star, Nebraska, March 1923:

     But [Jack] Dempsey against some palooka who had been press agented into greatness and into the form of a Dempsey menace — that would pack any outdoor arena.

Derived terms

• Palookaville

Translations

See also

• tomato can

References