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Palooka
01
a clumsy, stupid, or incompetent person
Dialect
American
American
Informal
What is the origin of the term "palooka" and how is it used?
"Palooka" appeared in American slang in the early 20th century, possibly from boxing jargon for an unskilled fighter. It came to describe a clumsy, stupid, or incompetent person. The term appears in older slang, comics, and humor. It is derogatory but mild and somewhat dated.
Examples
The big palooka tripped over his own feet trying to dance.
02
a second-rate prize fighter
Grammatical Information
