Tuesday Word: nimrod

[ellesieg.livejournal.com]

In modern slang, a nimrod is an inept person, socially or otherwise -- foolish, rude, unable or unwilling to do anything right. The term has its origins in Nimrod, from the Hebrew Nimrōdh, a biblical king, ruler of Shinar. Renowned for his power and hunting ability, his name became sort of a generic term for a skilled hunter, a tyrant or a powerful person. How did nimrod, with such lofty origins, sink to the level of a common insult? It's all thanks to cartoon character Bugs Bunny, who sarcastically referred to Elmer Fudd, a determined but miserably unsuccessful rabbit hunter, as a nimrod.

Comments

[belovedwarrior.livejournal.com]

It is also a small town in Minnesota.

[theidolhands.livejournal.com]

Well, also one is capitalized and one is not.

Further, Nimrod is associated with the construction of Tower of Babble, which is told as an anecdote against arrogance or thinking oneself a god, and it was an act that led to the division and ruin of us as a united peoples who no longer could easily communicate with one another in a common language. It is within Nimrod's land that this ancient city (and others) existed, though wether he did indeed issue the construction f the tower is not clear or explicitly stated, just a common interpretation and why the name is associated with a similar foolishly arrogant attitude.

To have it all (or be sittin' pretty), but still not be satisfied, then push your hand too far -- that is what it is to be a "nimrod" via ancient and modern interpretation -- to think you're clever and superior, when really you're being a chump.

It is interesting though, I always think, to find such ancient words still lingering around. Thank you for the entry.

[suegypt.livejournal.com]

I've always loved this word, but knowing that Bugs Bunny revamped its meaning just makes me love it all the more.

[theidolhands.livejournal.com]

As explained in my comment above, it actually always had that secondary meaning, although Bugs may not have "revamped" it, according to urbandictionary.com he did help popularize it further by mimicking Brooklyn slang (which is what his accent is) where religious exclamations were commonly used. Another being: "Jumping Jehosaphat", "Yee Gods", "Jesus, Mary, and St. Joseph", "For Pete's Sake", etc.