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nebbish is a person regarded as weak-willed, timid or simple-minded. (From the Yiddish nebekh - a timid, unfortunate simpleton).
The best definition I ever heard of a nebbish was someone who upon entering a room makes you think someone has just walked out...
There are some other great words of Yiddish origin to describe folk. Words like
nudnik : a pest, "pain in the neck"; a bore.
And
schlemiel : an inept clumsy person; a bungler; a dolt.
Then there is
shmendrik : a foolish or contemptible person.
And finally
yenta : a talkative woman; a gossip; a scold.
If you want to insult someone there is always a Yiddish term that fits.
I love the Irish word "blatherskite"; it doesn't even need explanation.
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