Wuss & others

[GSCole]

The phrase 'nerd pack' is another elusive item.  My first encounter with
the phrase, with reference to the pocket protector used by engineers,
and others, to hold pencils, pens, X-acto knives, rulers, etc., was in
the period late-1970s/early-1980s.  Have seen the phrase in print, but
have not heard anyone use it.  Nerd pack has another usage, being: a
pack of nerds.

Each year, web searches turn up more uses of the 'pocket protector'
definition.  In some organizations, the items in the nerd pack convey
status information about the wearer.  A few years ago, one of my
students showed the class a leather pocket protector that he was
authorized to wear, given his managerial status, while noting that lower
ranking engineers had to make-do with plastic pocket protectors.

Since I haven't seen 'nerd pack' (pocket protector) in a dictionary, I
have no idea about its first use.  Probably well after the first use of
nerd.

George S. Cole   gscole at ark.ship.edu
Shippensburg University