Shlemiel is only one of the many Yiddish terms that I have uncovered for an unsuccessful person. There are probably more. The others are: Shlemazel, Shlepper, Shlump, Shmendrik, Shmeggegi, Shmo, Shnook, Shlob, Shmodder, Shnorrer, Shvantz, Shmuck and the ones that do not start with "sh", Potz, Nar, Dumkopf, Klots, Behaimeh, Ferd, Idiyot, Vysoso, Nebbish, Nebechel, Neb, Chamoyer, Temp, Eizel and Yoldt.

Almost all of these have become part of the English language and have been borrowed from many languages including Hebrew, German , Polish, Ukrainian and Russian. Those who are fluent in Yiddish use all or most of these terms to describe subtle differences in character or, should I say, lack of character. The subtle differences in their meanings are:

Lack of luck: "Shlemazel".

Varying lack of brains: "Shlemiel, Shmendrik, Chamoyer, Eizel, Temp, Shnook, Shmo, Shmeggegi, Eizel, Yoldt, Nar, Potz, Idiyot, Behaimeh, Ferd and Dumkopf"

Clumsiness: “Klots”.

Lack of energy: "Shlepper and/or Shlep".

Lack of significance: “Nebbish, Neb and Nebechel”

Lack of tidiness: "Shlob and Shmodder."

And stingyness: "Shnorrer."

There are three more, Shmuk, Shvants, Shlung and Vysoso which refer to a particular part of the male anatomy, are very insulting and are not used in polite conversation. Vysoso is usually used as “Miseh vysoso” or “ugly vysoso’. Vysoso , I believe, was the name of Hamman’s son.