palooka

Used in the US since the 1920s, originally primarily of boxers. Popularized by Jack Conway of Variety,[1][2] who also popularized baloney and bimbo. Further popularized by Ham Fisher in his comic strip Joe Palooka about a boxer (published in newspapers since 1930, particularly popular in 1940s).[3]

While of unclear origin, connection to a surname like Polish Paluka has been suggested (compare offensive use of Polack, if not connected to the word itself).[4]

• IPA^(key): /pəˈluːkə/

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palooka (plural palookas)

1. (US slang) A stupid, oafish or clumsy person.
2. (US, boxing, bridge, etc) Someone incompetent or untalented.
   • 1923 March, Lincoln Star, Nebraska:

     But [Jack] Dempsey against some palooka who had been press agented into greatness and into the form of a Dempsey menace — that would pack any outdoor arena.

   • 1994, Quentin Tarantino, Roger Avary, Pulp Fiction:

     Butch: Lookin' at somethin', friend?
     Vincent: I ain't your friend, palooka.

• Palookaville

• (boxing): tomato can

• Jonathon Green (2024) “palooka n.”, in Green’s Dictionary of Slang