Two sources for "earworm"

[Baker, John]

        I saw the AP article about Professor Kellaris too and wondered about it.  Bear in mind that reporters get a lot of things wrong (reporting is harder than it sounds); I get interviewed from time to time myself on securities law, and it's excruciating when a reporter's mistake makes me look like an idiot.  But "earworm" clearly was not invented by Kellaris in 2000.  We've talked about this before on ADS-L, and the earliest use yet found seems to be from the 9/18/87 issue of Newsday, quoting alto saxophonist Bobby Watson ("I like to create little earworms").

John Baker



-----Original Message-----
From: James A. Landau [mailto:JJJRLandau at AOL.COM]
Sent: Wednesday, October 22, 2003 10:13 AM
To: ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
Subject: Two sources for "earworm"


On 4/25/2003 1:47:00 PM Eastern Standard Time, "Sal" (self at TOWSE.COM)
wrote:

<begin quote>
"earworm" is in quite common use in the groups I frequent on
Usenet.

Checking Googja, the first instance I can find "earworm" used in
a Usenet post is a post to soc.motss 1993-03-18. The person
writing is explaining "ohrwurm" and translates that German word
as "earworm." From that thread, the usage seems to have taken off
in soc.motss and spread from there to other Usenet groups and the
Web.
<end quote>

On the other hand, AOL News says

<begin quote>
What's With That Song Stuck in Your Head?

By RACHEL KIPP, AP

ALBANY, N.Y. (Oct. 20) - Unexpected and insidious, the earworm slinks its way
into the brain and refuses to leave. Symptoms vary, although high levels of
annoyance and frustration are common. There are numerous potential treatments,
but no cure.

''The Lion Sleeps Tonight,'' and Chili's ''baby back ribs'' jingle are two
songs that are tough to shake.

''Earworm'' is the term coined by University of Cincinnati marketing
professor James Kellaris for the usually unwelcome songs that get stuck in people's
heads. Since beginning his research in 2000, Kellaris has heard from people all
over the world requesting help, sharing anecdotes and offering solutions.  <
snip>
<end quote>

      - Jim Landau