Antedating of "derp"

[Ben Zimmer]

Thanks, Hugo -- the 1997 cite also antedates what we found for "derp"
in the Winter 2011 installment of "Among the New Words"
(http://bit.ly/ATNW86-4), devoted to Internet memes.

--bgz


On Wed, Aug 28, 2013 at 10:21 AM, Hugo wrote:
>
> "derp" has been added to Oxford Dictionaries Online in today's August quarterly update (not yet
> in OED):
> http://blog.oxforddictionaries.com/august-2013-update/
> (ODO website currently broken)
>
> ODO, "1990s: probably an alteration of dur or duh"
> http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/derp
>
> ---
>
> Know Your Meme dates it to 1998:
>
> [Begin]
> The first known instance of the word “derp” comes from the 1998 comedy film Baseketball by
> South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone. During a scene where they are caught smelling
> underwear taken from a woman’s private drawer, Matt runs out of the room and says “Derp.”
>
> The South Park episode “The Succubus” originally aired on April 21st, 1999 introduced a
> character  named Mr. Derp, who briefly served as the chef’s replacement. In this episode, the
> character performs various slapstick clichés like striking himself on the head with a hammer
> while exclaiming “Derp!” The expression has been used in a number of other South Park
> episodes, most notably in Season 6,  Episode 15 “The Biggest Douche in the Universe” (2002)
> and Season 8th, Episode 6 “They Took Our Jobs (2004).”
> [End]
>
> http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/derp
>
> ---
>
> This Usenet use seems to be used in the same way -- "to comment on a foolish or stupid action" --
> by Pete Treichler on 25 February 1997 in alt.sports.hockey.nhl.pit-penguins:
>
> [Begin]
> Another strong argument...  I wonder, was that a part of Sherry Ross's
> scouting report on Jan Hrdina or did you make that up all by your little
> old pathetic lonesome?  Now that I think of it, i'm surprised that you
> didn't make fun of his first name as well- 'How could you believe in a
> guy who has a girly first name?'  derp- you are a fool.
> [End]
>
> https://groups.google.com/d/msg/alt.sports.hockey.nhl.pit-penguins/AHO2WhCWOms/rOdVOn53ZSEJ

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