derp

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English

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Etymology

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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.[1][2] See also twerp possibly related to Welsh twp meaning fool.

Pronunciation

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Interjection

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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

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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

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Verb

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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

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Noun

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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".]

References

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  1. ^ Becket, Stefan (2013 June 4) “The Origins of Derp”, in New York magazine[1], retrieved May 3, 2018
  2. ^ Siese, April (2015 October 28) “These 'BASEketball' Quotes Are Psych-Out Gold”, in Uproxx[2], retrieved May 3, 2018

Further reading

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Anagrams

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Old High German

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Pronunciation

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Adjective

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derp

  1. Alternative form of derb