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What's the "Joe Shmoe" of different cultures? Or the "John/Jane Smith"? (lemm.ee)

submitted 1 year ago by ech@lemm.ee to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

84 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.

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[–] DieguiTux8623@feddit.it 11 points 1 year ago (1 children)

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".

[–] davidauz@feddit.it 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

All correct! But don't forget our friend "Pinco Pallo"! 😉

[–] thisisbutaname@discuss.tchncs.de 1 points 1 year ago

And Tal dei Tali and Vattelapesca