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Usenet Posted 22 years ago
Usage

What a jerk!

I have stated before my reasons for being skeptical of the belief that the noun "jerk," used to describe a person, is related to the practice of "jerking off," that is, masturbating, as some people have speculated. See a previous post of mine on the subject at
http://groups.google.com/groups?selm=vhfaq28redp84d%40corp.supernews.com&oe=UTF-8&output=gplain

or
http://tinyurl.com/yr56l
The following is from the *Chambers Dictionary of Etymology,* edited by Robert K. Barnhart, New York: Chambers, (C)1988.
(quote)
**** n. slang. stupid, dull, or ineffectual person. 1935, American English Slang, in A.J. Pollock's Underworld Speaks; perhaps from earlier jerk, adj., insignificant, inferior (1890's, as in a jerk town, short for jerkwater, 1897, in reference to a steam train or branch line that serves small towns where a locomotive had to jerk water from streams or a water tower to fill its tender.)
(end quote)

Raymond S. Wise
Minneapolis, Minnesota USA
E-mail: mplsray @ yahoo . com
  

Top answer

[nq:1]I have stated before my reasons for being skeptical of the belief that the noun "jerk," used to describe a ... of "jerking off," that is, masturbating, as some people have speculated. Seea previous post of mine on the subject at[/nq] Well, it's the same word, but I agree that the noun usage does not come from the phrasal verb, or vice versa.

  • [nq:1]I have stated before my reasons for being skeptical of the belief that the noun "jerk," used to describe a ...
  • of "jerking off," that is, masturbating, as some people have speculated.
  • Seea previous post of mine on the subject at[/nq] Well, it's the same word, but I agree that the noun usage does not come from the phrasal verb, or vice versa.
  • Adrian
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39 Answers
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[nq:1]I have stated before my reasons for being skeptical of the belief that the noun "jerk," used to describe a ... of "jerking off," that is, masturbating, as some people have speculated. Seea previous post of mine on the subject at[/nq]
Well, it's the same word, but I agree that the noun usage does not come from the phrasal verb, or vice versa.
Adrian
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[nq:1]I have stated before my reasons for being skeptical of the belief that the noun "jerk," used to describe a ... "jerking off," that is, masturbating, as some people have speculated. See a previous post of mine on the subject at[/nq]
I have wondered aboiut Jamaician jerk chicken ...
BTW, I am assembling a "Taste of the Caribbean" party (anything to beat the winter blahs), featuring foo
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[nq:2]I have stated before my reasons for being skeptical of ... See a previous post of mine on the subject at[/nq]
[nq:1]I have wondered aboiut Jamaician jerk chicken ... BTW, I am assembling a "Taste of the Caribbean" party (anything to ... far I have: Red Stripe beer Carib beer coconuts from the Domincan Republic. jerk chicken Other suggestions are welcomed ...[/nq]
Ackee and salt fish
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[nq:2]I have stated before my reasons for being skeptical of ... See a previous post of mine on the subject at[/nq]
[nq:1]I have wondered aboiut Jamaician jerk chicken ... BTW, I am assembling a "Taste of the Caribbean" party (anything to ... far I have: Red Stripe beer Carib beer coconuts from the Domincan Republic. jerk chicken Other suggestions are welcomed ...[/nq]
Curry goat - essenti
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[nq:2]I have stated before my reasons for being skeptical of ... See a previous post of mine on the subject at[/nq]
[nq:1]I have wondered aboiut Jamaician jerk chicken ... BTW, I am assembling a "Taste of the Caribbean" party (anything to ... far I have: Red Stripe beer Carib beer coconuts from the Domincan Republic. jerk chicken Other suggestions are welcomed ...[/nq]
Goat. You have to ha
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[nq:2]I have wondered aboiut Jamaician jerk chicken ... BTW, I ... the Domincan Republic. jerk chicken Other suggestions are welcomed ...[/nq]
[nq:1]Ackee and salt fish .[/nq]
They sound nice.
And rum is fine any time of year.
[nq:1]Rice and peas (actually, red kidney beans) Rum punch.[/nq]
Or in punch.
s/ meirman If you are emailing me please
say if you are posting the
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[nq:2]I have stated before my reasons for being skeptical of ... speculated.See a previous post of mine on the subject at[/nq]
[nq:1]I have wondered aboiut Jamaician jerk chicken ... BTW, I am assembling a "Taste of the Caribbean" party (anything to ... the wall, of course). So far I have: Red Stripe beer Carib beer coconuts from the Domincan Republic. jerk chicken[/nq]
Curacao
Pineapp
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[nq:1]Goat. You have to have something to eat made of goat parts.[/nq]
Goat?? Where the heck am I going to get a goat???
As far as rums, I'd like to offer something exotic - someone suggested Pyrat from Anguilla.
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[nq:2]Goat. You have to have something to eat made of goat parts.[/nq]
[nq:1]Goat?? Where the heck am I going to get a goat???[/nq]
Harrods. Otherwise use neck-end of lamb.
[nq:1]As far as rums, I'd like to offer something exotic - someone suggested Pyrat from Anguilla.[/nq]
This website would seem to have everything you're looking for and more:
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[nq:1]Goat?? Where the heck am I going to get a goat???[/nq]
http://tinyurl.com/3bnl2
R.

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