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kentauros

(29,414 posts)

50. "American English carnival slang, of -uncertain origin.-"

Sat Apr 2, 2016, 11:57 PM

Apr 2016

jerk (n.2)
"tedious and ineffectual person," 1935, American English carnival slang, of uncertain origin. Perhaps from jerkwater "petty, inferior, insignificant" {Barnhart, OED}; alternatively from, or influenced by, verbal phrase jerk off "masturbate" {Rawson}. The lyric in "Big Rock Candy Mountain," sometimes offered as evidence of earlier use, apparently is "Where they hung the Turk {not jerk} that invented work."

Why yes, I am a word-nerd

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Study says those who call out grammatical errors are in fact scientifically 'jerks' [View all] Liberal_in_LA Apr 2016 OP

Did they define 'huge jerks?' elleng Apr 2016 #1

Not just that, but the person who proofread Hitler's speeches was literally a "Grammar Nazi." nt MrScorpio Apr 2016 #2

lol good one beergood Apr 2016 #37

So wanting others to use correct grammar SheilaT Apr 2016 #3

Stupid jerks. nt Cartoonist Apr 2016 #4

What you consider "correct grammar" is actually called prescriptive grammar. Deadshot Apr 2016 #40

Yeah, well ... Straw Man Apr 2016 #52

I find most grammar Nazis are assholes. Arrogant. Nt Logical Apr 2016 #53

Everyone who would really like others to use SheilaT Apr 2016 #56

"Jerk" is not a scientific term. This is thinly disguised bullshit. bemildred Apr 2016 #5

"Jerk" is a scientific term. JustABozoOnThisBus Apr 2016 #24

Jerk, as used in the OP, is slang. nt bemildred Apr 2016 #26

True jerks like telling you your grammar stinks mainer Apr 2016 #6

The observation is not about "grammar" per se skepticscott Apr 2016 #21

It's OK to observe and privately draw conclusions. People do it all the time. mainer Apr 2016 #25

True jerks like telling you your gramma stinks LastLiberal in PalmSprings Apr 2016 #28

I think you missed a couple commas in the subject header of the OP. nt Lucky Luciano Apr 2016 #7

Lack of social inclination is not being a jerk Android3.14 Apr 2016 #8

shouldn't there be a period after 'jerks' ? tomm2thumbs Apr 2016 #9

Interesting. The test subjects actually didn't "call out" the grammatical errors. Mister Ed Apr 2016 #10

Survey shows that those with bad grammar are losers... Human101948 Apr 2016 #11

I will say that people who like to correct others are definitely jerks mainer Apr 2016 #12

Study shows that bad grammar hurts businesses... Human101948 Apr 2016 #13

Um, "those were surveyed"...should be "those who were surveyed" joeybee12 Apr 2016 #14

Bad grammar can ruin your career... Human101948 Apr 2016 #17

I'm actually amazed at work the poor grammar joeybee12 Apr 2016 #34

several posters have put me hopemountain Apr 2016 #15

Their loss. If I had ignored those who write only in lower case... Mister Ed Apr 2016 #20

thank you... hopemountain Apr 2016 #23

I also tend to lowercase more annabanana Apr 2016 #35

Ha! April Fuels joke. postulater Apr 2016 #16

Whether intended as a joke or not... Human101948 Apr 2016 #18

in defense AgerolanAmerican Apr 2016 #30

I quit trying to address the grammar issues. postulater Apr 2016 #48

"then" drives me fucking nuts. I don't call it out but I am scientifically a jerk, in real life! WhaTHellsgoingonhere Apr 2016 #19

They can also be very funny iandhr Apr 2016 #22

Lol treestar Apr 2016 #43

I think it's sorta nice rock Apr 2016 #27

I agree! PersonNumber503602 Apr 2016 #39

Well put! rock Apr 2016 #41

A or b are arrogant as hell. And condescending. Wow. Nt Logical Apr 2016 #55

hehehe PersonNumber503602 Apr 2016 #57

It's pretentious and rather annoying. Deadshot Apr 2016 #42

Nope rock Apr 2016 #47

i don't think I would enjoy your company. Nt Logical Apr 2016 #54

That looks like very serious science... Not rjsquirrel Apr 2016 #29

The title of this thread contains one grammatical error. Albertoo Apr 2016 #31

What does that make people who don't use this? MattSh Apr 2016 #32

I thought Rubio was a jerk when he corrected trump's texting grammar Flyingbird5066 Apr 2016 #33

There are differences between typos and simply not knowing how to spell PersonNumber503602 Apr 2016 #36

If this wasn't a double blind study ornotna Apr 2016 #38

There's a lot of hurt over this article. Deadshot Apr 2016 #44

I like when a study matches up with my life experiences :) Johonny Apr 2016 #45

I don't care if it makes me a jerk or not - noamnety Apr 2016 #46

I wish I could remember the rules awoke_in_2003 Apr 2016 #49

"American English carnival slang, of -uncertain origin.-" kentauros Apr 2016 #50

Lol sew perfect 2pooped2pop Apr 2016 #51

Am I a jerk if I..... Darb Apr 2016 #58

I fel the same wae abowt speling Orrex Apr 2016 #59