[Ads-l] humblebrag antedating?

[ADSGarson O'Toole]

Nice work, Stephen.
Ben Zimmer initiated a thread about "humble brag" back in April 2011.
https://listserv.linguistlist.org/pipermail/ads-l/2011-April/108796.html

There was a follow-up ADS thread in 2013. Ben pointed to a 2012 "Among
the New Words" article in "American Speech" which discussed
humblebrag, humble brag, humblebragger, humble bragger,
humblebragging, humble bragging.

https://listserv.linguistlist.org/pipermail/ads-l/2013-December/129898.html
https://www.academia.edu/1231410/_Among_the_New_Words_American_Speech_Vol_87_No_1_Spring_2012_pp_89_106_

Here are precursors for "humble bragging" in 1936, 1954, and 1984.

Date: October 1936
Periodical: Concordia Theological Monthly
Volume 7, Number 10
Article: Walther, a Christian Theologian
Note: These remarks are the extension of an address delivered at the
graduation exercises at Concordia Seminary, June 5, 1936
Footnote 3
Start Page 731, Quote Page 739
https://archive.org/details/sim_ctm_1936-10_7_10/mode/2up?q=%22humble+bragging%22

[Begin excerpt]
"Indeed, Walther did not possess that which in our modern days is held
to make a great theologian; he did not aim to produce new thoughts, to
establish a new theological system, to found a new school; he did not
indulge in the seemingly humble bragging that we Christians must never
be sure that we have the truth, but must always seek for it.
[End excerpt]

Date: March 2, 1954
Periodical: Brigham Young Universe
Article: Spirit Needed To Keep Pace With Growth
Author: Dallas Burnett
Quote Page 4, Column 3
Published by Associated Students of Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah
https://archive.org/details/brighamyounguniv639asso/mode/2up?q=%22humble+bragging%22

[Begin excerpt]
Too much tub-thumping about oneself can be extremely bad, but a little
“humble” bragging once in awhile may not be quite so out of place.
[End excerpt]

Date: September 16, 1984
Newspaper: The Charlotte Observer
Newspaper Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
Section: Special Advertising Section
Article: College Interview Tactics Call For Straightforward Approach
Quote Page 7Z, Column 2
Database: Newspapers.com
https://www.newspapers.com/image/624519697/?match=1&terms=%22humble-bragging%22

[Begin excerpt]
Dr. Griffith recommended developing an attitude of humble bragging.
"Be direct - let us know what's important for us to know about you,"
he said. "If you run a -minute mile, then tell us that - not that
you're a pretty good runner."
You need the same attitude in completing the college application.
[End excerpt]

Garson

On Sat, Nov 15, 2025 at 9:01 AM Stephen Goranson
<00001dd3d6fc15d3-dmarc-request at listserv.uga.edu> wrote:
>
> Not in OED nor Green’s. Though some sites credit Harris Wittels in 2010,
> Merriam-Webster claims a 2002 use.
> (American Dialect Society “most useful” word of 2011.)
>
> fwiw, Work Life: A Publication on Employment and People with Disabilities
> 1.4, (Winter, 1988) 24 reprints from USA Today a recommendation to “be a
> humble braggart.”
> https://www.google.com/books/edition/Worklife/K8zRBCrQXH0C?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=humble
>
> American Literary Scholarship 1986 - Page 207
> books.google.com › books
> <https://books.google.com/books?id=YKplAAAAMAAJ&q=%22humble+braggart%22&dq=%22humble+braggart%22&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=1&printsec=frontcover&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi5oMXzp_SQAxWa2BoGHRLGHIsQ6AF6BAgHEAM>
> American Literary Scholarship
> <https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=69bdf2a40b3867bf&udm=36&tbs=cdr:1,cd_min:Jan+1_2+1987,cd_max:Dec+31_2+1989&udm=36&q=inauthor:%22American+Literary+Scholarship%22&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi5oMXzp_SQAxWa2BoGHRLGHIsQ9Ah6BAgHEAY>,
> ‎David J. Nordloh · 1988 · ‎Snippet view
> . humble braggart , a girlish macho , a sinless killer
> https://www.google.com/search?tbo=p&tbm=bks&q=%22humble+braggart%22&tbs=,cdr:1,cd_min:Jan+1_2+1987,cd_max:Dec+31_2+1989&num=10
>
> sg
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------
> The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org

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