derp

English

Etymology

Probably from dur, British informal exclamation for “stupid” or from duh, an exclamation indicating faltering speech and assumed stupidity, glottalized for emphasis. Popularized by BASEketball (1998) and "Succubus", a 1999 episode of South Park. See also twerp possibly related to Welsh twp meaning fool.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /dɝp/, /dɚp/

• Audio (AU)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ɜː(ɹ)p, -ə(ɹ)p

Interjection

derp

1. (slang) Draws attention to an act of foolishness or stupidity.

   I put chips in my soup instead of crackers. Derp.

   • 1997 February 25, Pete Treichler, “Re: Patrick Incompentence Redux”, in alt.sports.hockey.nhl.pit-penguins‎^[3] (Usenet), message-ID <Yn4ObEO00iV6A1SFx_@andrew.cmu.edu>#1/1>:

     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.

2. (slang) A placeholder for unimportant details, blah blah blah.
   • 2002 November 27, Trey Parker, “The Biggest Douche in the Universe” (14:28), in South Park‎^[4], season 6, episode 15:

     Rob Schneider derp dee derp. Derp dee derpity derpy derp. Until one day, a derp a derp a derp a derp.

   • 2011 January 10, Tom Allen, “Re: Expression of a woman's sexuality”, in soc.sexuality.general‎^[5] (Usenet), message-ID <add2880c-51f2-48ba-bcb1-4f9bff60dd58@l24g2000vby.googlegroups.com>:

     Me: Hi, remember me from SSG? Can I ask you about herping the derp?
     R1: Oh, hai Tom. Sure, that would be the derp that was herping blah blah blah...

Usage notes

In the placeholder sense, often used with herp. Can be used like a noun or a verb or with various suffixes. Connotes that whatever it stands in for does not matter, and often that it is foolish or nonsensical.

Derived terms

• herp derp

Verb

derp (third-person singular simple present derps, present participle derping, simple past and past participle derped)

1. (slang) To act stupidly or foolishly
2. (slang) To make a stupid mistake
   • 2011 August 22, Scion-of-Fenrir, “Re: 4e Forgotten Realms Campaign”, in Google Groups: /tg/'s Google group‎^[6], 184e4b33-8013-4f8f-b312-ce498111076a@b34g2000yqi.googlegroups.com:

     Wait, so we're allowed to have magic items from the start? I must of derped pretty hard.

3. (slang, of eyes) To point in different directions; (of a person) To have a facial expression with one's eyes pointing in different directions.
   • 2012 April 22, Double Eight, “Re: Next Meetup”, in Google Groups: Windy City Bronies‎^[7]:

     Also, there was a Derpy cameo in this one, but she didn't have derped eyes.

   • 2012 October 25, Brian Benchoff, “Electronic demon costume is surprisingly unnerving”, in Hack A Day‎^[8]:

     The eyes are wired to the same I2C address to prevent derping, but the three red mouth LED matrices are capable of displaying anything that fits on an 8×24 LED matrix.

Derived terms

• derpy

Noun

derp (plural derps)

1. (slang) A person who acts stupidly or foolishly; a person who derps.
2. (slang) A stupid mistake, stupidity.
3. (uncountable) The constant repeating of an opinion after facts have proved it incorrect, especially as a rhetorical tactic.
   • [2013 June 4, Noah Smith, “What is "derp"? The answer is technical.”, in Noahpinion‎^[9] (blog), Blogger, archived from the original on 2013-06-09:

     English has no word for "the constant, repetitive reiteration of strong priors". Yet it is a well-known phenomenon in the world of punditry, debate, and public affairs. On Twitter, we call it "derp".]

Further reading

• “derp”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.

Anagrams

• -pred-, PDRE, pred, pred-

Old High German

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /derp/

Adjective

derp

1. Alternative form of derb