English Words Explained: 3) klutz

It would be good to explain more words that relate to the moon, but since last week's Mid-Autumn Festival, the moon has waned (變小了) so much that I think it would be best to save those 'moon words' until the next full moon comes around.

This time I'd like to explain the word 'klutz', which means 'a clumsy or stupid person'. If you are always tripping over and dropping things then you are a klutz.

I have a feeling she's a klutz

Origin

Like so many words in English, 'klutz' is derived from German, though in this case the word entered the English lexicon via Yiddish. In Yiddish, the word 'klots' means 'wooden beam'. You can see how someone with a head made of wood might be foolish or clumsy.

In fact, in English we also say 'blockhead' to mean 'stupid person'. If your head is just a block of wood, you're probably not able to read this sentence.

Charlie Brown's sister thinks he's a blockhead. My sisters feel the same about me.

Examples

• "I am the world's biggest klutz. I trip over my own feet!"
• The school klutz was always the centre of attention.

 

In Popular Culture

Let's take a look at a comic book character from the 60s, Captain Klutz. He first appeared in Mad, which is a satirical magazine that pokes fun at various political and social targets.

Unlike Superman or Batman, Captain Klutz is a figure of fun. He's not heroic in the slightest. Instead of solving crimes or beating up bad guys, he lives on the streets, misses clues and gets into trouble.

Finally, I wanted to show you a clip from a silent movie by Charlie Chaplin, or perhaps something from the Marx Brothers or Laurel and Hardy, since all of these performers acted like klutzes at different times.

The Three Stooges were definitely klutzes.

However, while searching for a good video, I stumbled across this short film by Tommy Lee Raw. It illustrates the word klutz very well and deserves to be seen by more people. If you like it, perhaps you should check out more of Tommy's videos, which you can find on Youtube, or on his Facebook page. Enjoy!