spaz(z), n.

[Paul Johnston]

In early '60s New Jersey, both, I'm afraid.  I was called that a lot in high
school, and didn't know whether it was because I was a "nerd", because I
have (subclinical) cerebral palsy, or both.  I don't remember the verb too
much from those days.

Paul Johnston
----- Original Message -----
From: "Benjamin Zimmer" <bgzimmer at RCI.RUTGERS.EDU>
To: <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
Sent: Friday, June 24, 2005 12:34 AM
Subject: Re: spaz(z), n.


> ---------------------- Information from the mail
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> Sender:       American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
> Poster:       Benjamin Zimmer <bgzimmer at RCI.RUTGERS.EDU>
> Subject:      Re: spaz(z), n.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----
>
> On Thu, 23 Jun 2005 19:57:28 -0700, Jonathan Lighter
> <wuxxmupp2000 at YAHOO.COM> wrote:
>
> >"Spazz," n. & v., were both in daily use on the West Side of Manhattan in
> >the fall of 1959. At least among us kids.  I remember because I'd never
> >heard them before. The same was true of "retard," n.
>
> Was nominal "spazz" used in the 'uncoordinated' sense (i.e., for someone
> who frequently "spazzed out"), or in the 'uncool' sense of the 1965 cites?
>  I realize there may have been a subtle gradation from one sense to the
> other.
>
>
>
> --Ben Zimmer
>