The Forgotten Former Meaning of "Jerk"
www.theringer.com
The curious pop culture etymology of "jerk," from 1979’s ‘The Jerk’ through today. (Or, "When did jerk stop meaning ‘stupid’?")

Great article by the host of my favorite Podcast.

I remember hearing the “…that jerk” and mentally translating it as “dumb meanie” kind of mixing the current and archaic meaninga

  • bionicjoeyEnglish
    3·
    11 months ago

    It’s funny. The Steve Martin film “The Jerk” used to confuse me because he’s an idiot, not a jerk.

  • fubo@lemmy.worldEnglish
    2·
    11 months ago

    Etymonline suggests “jerk” in this sense is originally carnival slang; possibly from “jerk off” but also possibly from “jerkwater” — referring to a rustic town where you have to use a manual water pump.