Herb thought he was a schmuck, but Herb was genuinely afraid of him.

NEWYORKER: Beginners

He's trying to stay one step ahead of the landlords and bill collectors, so, at first, you think Murray is just a loser schmuck with no scruples.

CNN: Review: 'Slums of Beverly Hills' on-target with comic realism

He isn't getting the news that little Timmy finally has a donor for his heart transplant -- he's just another schmuck having a schmuck conversation with schmucks elsewhere.

CNN: Cell phone made me a theater vigilante

Matthew (Josh Hartnett) is meant to be going to China in his capacity as an advertising executive, instead of which he stays behind in a freezing Chicago in his capacity as a total schmuck, vainly attempting to trace a former love (Diane Kruger).

NEWYORKER: Wicker Park