a number of years ago I used the term shmuck in front of some Jewish friends. My family, including my Jewish uncle used the phrase and I thought it meant jerk in Yiddish. I guess it is a derogatory term for Jews. I permanently insulted them.
Think of a word that starts with ‘p’ and ends with a ‘k’ and you might get a better idea of what a schmuck is.
Actually, you were right. It does mean jerk, but a really obnoxious jerk.