jerk en · NOUN · etymology 1
Pronunciation
- /ˈd͡ʒɝk/ (General-American)
- /ˈd͡ʒɜːk/ (Received-Pronunciation)
- (US) audio
Etymology
Probably from Middle English yerk (“sudden motion”) and Middle English yerkid (“tightly pulled”), from Old English ġearc (“ready, active, quick”) and Old English ġearcian (“to prepare, make ready, procure, furnish, supply”). Cognate with Scots yerk (“to jerk”). Related also to English yare (“ready”).
Meanings
-
A sudden, often uncontrolled movement, especially of the human body.
A barrel-organ in the street suddenly sprang with a jerk into a jovial tune.
1908, G[ilbert] K[eith] Chesterton, The Man Who Was Thursday: A Nightmare, Bristol: J[ames] W[illiams] Arrowsmith, […]; London: Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent & Company, →OCLC, page 114:1856, Gustave Flaubert, Madame Bovary, Part III Chapter X, translated by Eleanor Marx-Aveling The black cloth bestrewn with white beads blew up from time to time, laying bare the coffin. The tired bearers walked more slowly, and it advanced with constant jerks, like a boat that pitches with every wave.
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A quick pull on something.
When I yell "OK," give the mooring line a good jerk!
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(US, derogatory, slang) A person with unlikable or obnoxious qualities and behavior, typically mean, immoral, self-centered, or disagreeable.
And [Albert Fish] was dizzyingly happy about it, smiled as described the grizzly details of the tortures and the murders, appearing to the detectives and one of the detectives said "he appeared as the Devil himself." I mean this Albert F-, I mean this guy was a real jerk!
2013, Norm Macdonald Live, season 1, episode 3, spoken by Norm Macdonald:I finally fired him, because he was being a real jerk to his customers, even to some of the staff.
You really are a jerk sometimes.
Oh, Raymond―don't be such a jerk. Go and get yourself a drink or a tranquilizer or something.
1962, George Axelrod, 1:23:39 from the start, in The Manchurian Candidate, spoken by Eleanor Iselin (Angela Lansbury):
- (US, derogatory, slang) A stupid person; an idiot or fool.
- A lift in which the weight is taken with a quick motion from shoulder height to a position above the head with arms fully extended and held there for a brief time.
- (slang) Masturbation.
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(Internet, slang) Masturbation. ▸ An act of satirizing behavior that is, to an extent, common in a community, especially in circlejerk subreddits.
Jerk of the Year contender
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(qualifier:preceded by definite article) A dance, popular in Western culture in the 1960s, in which the head and upper body is thrown forwards regularly to the beat of the music.
Girls, hey, what's that you're doing Girl, girl, what's that you're doing You got to show me the steps to it Somehow, gonna learn how to do it Doing the jerk Hey, do the jerk Girl, come on and work Hey, do the jerk.
1964, “The Jerk”, Don Julian (lyrics), performed by The Larks:
- The rate of change in acceleration with respect to time.
-
(US, abbreviation, alt-of, ellipsis, obsolete) Ellipsis of soda jerk.
alt of soda jerk
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| yark | alternative | lexicographic | |
| jerks | Number=Plur | lexicographic |
Coordinates
Deriveds
jerk-water · jerkdom · jerk town · twerk · jerkess · knee-jerk · circle jerk · knee jerk · jerkhole · jerkhead · circle-jerk · jerker · jerkish · congressjerk · jerkness · soda jerk · jerklike · jerko · jerkless · hypnagogic jerk · clean and jerk · jerkism · hypnic jerk · jerkface · jerkweed · forearm jerk · jerkwad · jerkass · jerkdar · jerkmeter · megajerk · upjerk · circlejerk · jerkitude · jerkhood · Achilles jerk · jerksome · jerkery
Hyponyms
Jerks by objectionable quality · hussy · bitch eating crackers · Female jerks · son of a gun · Male jerks · shrew · son of a bitch · sow · cow · antimodel · know-it-all · bitch · malapert
Relateds
fool · many of the words for "contemptible person" come from literal terms for anyone who performs oral sex or performs anal sex; see overlap at Thesaurus:gay man · idiot · trash · villain · Because oral sex deprecation and anti-gay bias both have long histories among humans · criminal · worthless person · testicles · :Category:English shitgibbons · sycophant · jounce
Synonyms (first 500 of 644)
tubelight · fucknozzle · assmonkey · shitnuts · turdface · cittern-head · thickhead · piece of garbage · dumbshit · squib · shitwit · mong · fucker · numskull · log · shitball · chowderhead · dork · imbecile · cockmonger · goose · sleaze · dipstick · jolterhead · dickbreath · mome · fool · wantwit · assbag · juggins · bonehead · shithead · pissbag · jizzbag · prickhead · dimwit · dickbucket · dickweed · simpleton · shitneck · nimrod · tosser · scumbutt · pussybreath · snotbag · cocksuck · pukestain · knucklehead · doodle · dullard · fleabrain · prickwad · cuntbag · asstard · pisspot · nit · Boeotian · doof · bubblehead · dirtbrain · scuzzball · hosebag · jitbag · snotface · cunt · arsehole · dicknut · bitchface · ball sack · scuzzbucket · snotwad · nincompoop · gimboid · geck · cockatrice · dipfuck · dickwad · nark · Homer Simpson · lurch · bimbo · brainlet · dipshit · witless wonder · ding dong · twit · dumbling · shitwaffle · cumstain · saphead · cuntlapper · cumbucket · sleazeball · cockbreath · ninnyhammer · dingwad · douchewad · fuckchop · beetlebrain · divvo · fuckball · deadhead · dumb bunny · dumbbell · shitass · gudgeon · shitbird · dumb cluck · scoundrel · fuckstain · pile of crap · knob polisher · shitweed · dunderhead · asshead · dumbnut · dumbhead · wazzock · juggins · dimbus · sleazewad · ninny · meatball · assface · pinhead · scumhole · jolthead · sourhead · douchecanoe · doofus · fucktrumpet · baboon · dill pickle · noodlehead · turkey · thickhead · fuckstick · bobchin · gowk · numbskull · cuntass · peagoose · fuckwit · oaf · snotrag · fiddle · gomer · wazzer · boob · jerkball · fuckmuffin · not the sharpest knife in the drawer · muggins · dick munch · goon · fuckwit · lummox · dingbat · shudder · asshat · dote · dim bulb · assfag · chucklehead · dummkopf · peabrain · jump · cock gobbler · doodle · gump · swine · inbred · wally · shitsack · scumface · pigwidgeon · imbecile · dummy · dumbbell · tosspot · nutsack · stupe · numpty · galoot · monkey · git · mameluke (US (Italian-American) · sleazehole · muggins · goober · buttmunch · shitface · dirthead · doucheburger · bonehead · blackguard · asstard · shitlicker · fuckbag · dumb fuck · dickstain · half-baked · jellybrain · cuntwad · simp · jackaninny · clown · schmuck · bayard · fuckshit · cuntfucker · dildo · dickshit · moron · scuzzoid · shitmuncher · asschunk · fuckster · gooseberry · toolbox · buttbreath · dirtwad · yank · shitpot · nit · featherbrain · gonk · dumbfuck · jerkwad · goof · working · assbucket · fuckhead · donk · dotterel · jolt · snapperhead · ha'p'orth · clodpate · eejit · dickweasel · prat · twat · chunderhead · thicko · plank · asshole · cuntard · softhead · piece of work · piece of shit · fuckskull · cuntbreath · choad · asswipe · bufflehead · clart · fucktard · jagoff · ballsucker · knucklehead · fuck · prickface · dope · tonto · hammerhead · fuzznut · lamebrain · jerk · tool · spanner · shit for brains · noddy · cuntbucket · fuckass · jagweed · jolt · dullard · assfucker · ignoramus · weasel · farthead · dingleberry · douche · dickface · undesirable · fuckbucket · goosecap · asscunt · mongoloid · craphead · dickass · cockwaffle · crackhead · beanbrain · addle-brain · smooth brain · dunce · wanker · piece of trash · fucklord · donkey dick · blither · fuckface · cuntwipe · goofball · fuckweed · asshole · drool bucket · wankhead · sap · bitchcunt · dumbfucker · muttonhead · dillweed · bitchwhore · sohai · fuckoid · fuckwit · cuntlicker · idiot · douchebag · assclown · tug · dip · cuntweed · lamebrain · dipstick · cuntbiscuit · cockfag · cockwad · chump · knothead · cockmuncher · shitpiss · buffoon · tosser · jughead · wet wipe · pissface · shitwit · pusbag · asswipe · cuntface · cunthead · cuntweasel · dimbo · meathead · asshat · yampy · cockbag · thickskull · shitgibbon · snotball · cockfuck · jerko · dickster · surge · shitstain · smooth brain · momo · dick muncher · cockfucker · jerkweed · shitbreath · mushhead · dickbiscuit · bozo · wankstain · cockface · cullion · snothead · fuckwaffle · assbreath · jughead · shitbiscuit · dickfuck · drivel · bubble brain · douchelord · dunce · schmo · prat · dirtbag · dim bulb · shithook · pillock · cuntfuck · sack of shit · cunt muncher · fuck-knuckle · bastard · berk · shitbag · cuckoo · cretin · piece of crap · schmo · dingus · oaf · berk · wazzock · dope · sot · scum · Vulgar: · cuntwaffle · gorbuson · pile of shit · numps · fopdoodle · cock-knocker · cocksack · dicknose · maroon · Charlie · tard · airhead · nincompoop · turdhead · fenderhead · shitbucket · maroon · divvy · buttface · cockhead · addlehead · stupid-head · jerk · ignoramus · dunderpate · fenderhead · shitcunt · gubbins · chump · assfuck · plonker · dickslap · shitnugget · addle pate · sot · scuzz · cuntmuffin · stupid · dick · slimehole · assfaggot · assmouth · ha'porth · shitcock · sleazebucket · der-brain · shitfuck · assmunch · yo-yo · scumfuck · pukeball · gig · cumrag · wankface · asswagon · cuntrag · wankpuffin · shithead · shake · twerp · chunk-blower · nupson · jerkoff · cockmunch · tosspot · dork · ass · shitfucker · knob-gobbler · scunge · wantwit · putz · faggotface · birdbrain · clown · pillock · fuckmitten · dicksneeze · fag · pushead · mouth breather · dicksack · douche boat · barf bag · brickhead · tonto · lurch · cuntsucker · beetlehead · dickhead · cuntshit · shitbeast · asshole · assweed
Translations (194)
ia vexator (unlikable person) · mk шутрак (unlikable person) · cmn 蠢人 (unlikable person) · pt abécula (unlikable person) · pt tique (sudden, uncontrolled movement) · fi tomppeli (dull or stupid person) · cs debil (unlikable person) · cmn 笨蛋 (unlikable person) · de Ruck (physics: rate of change in acceleration) · tr titreme (sudden, uncontrolled movement) · cs ryv (physics: rate of change in acceleration) · fi kiskaisu (quick, often unpleasant tug or shake) · ar رَعَشَة (sudden, uncontrolled movement) · pl zryw (physics: rate of change in acceleration) · es tipejo (unlikable person) · it spasmo (sudden, uncontrolled movement) · is rykkur (quick, often unpleasant tug or shake) · tr pislik (unlikable person) · pt estúpido (unlikable person) · ka ხელის კვრა (quick, often unpleasant tug or shake) · cs pitomec (unlikable person) · fr conard (unlikable person) · pt espasmo (sudden, uncontrolled movement) · cmn 急動度 /急动度 (physics: rate of change in acceleration) · fr crétin (unlikable person) · hi चांडाल (unlikable person) · cs kretén (unlikable person) · nl zak (unlikable person) · ru толчо́к (quick, often unpleasant tug or shake) · ja 躍度 (physics: rate of change in acceleration) · it strattone (quick, often unpleasant tug or shake) · fr saccade (quick, often unpleasant tug or shake) · ka კრუნჩხვა (sudden, uncontrolled movement) · cs idiot (unlikable person) · es cretino (unlikable person) · de Trottel (unlikable person) · de Schwein (unlikable person) · ru тик (sudden, uncontrolled movement) · ia succussa (quick, often unpleasant tug or shake) · nl klojo (unlikable person) · nl lul (unlikable person) · fr con (unlikable person) · cs idiot (dull or stupid person) · bg рязко движение (sudden, uncontrolled movement) · it buco del culo (unlikable person) · cmn 痙攣 /痉挛 (sudden, uncontrolled movement) · tr ani hareket (physics: rate of change in acceleration) · de Dummkopf (dull or stupid person) · nl ruk (quick, often unpleasant tug or shake) · ru подле́ц (unlikable person) · es repullo (sudden, uncontrolled movement) · tr silki (sudden, uncontrolled movement) · fr clonie (sudden, uncontrolled movement) · sv ryck (quick, often unpleasant tug or shake) · bg друсане (quick, often unpleasant tug or shake) · sv fjant (dull or stupid person) · ko 저크 (weightlifting: type of lift) · ru подёргивание (sudden, uncontrolled movement) · cs hňup (dull or stupid person) · id sontoloyo (unlikable person) · fi idiootti (dull or stupid person) · de Hanswurst (unlikable person) · eo idioto (unlikable person) · no rykk (sudden, uncontrolled movement) · ia spasmo (sudden, uncontrolled movement) · fr spasme (sudden, uncontrolled movement) · sv skakning (quick, often unpleasant tug or shake) · pt babaca (dull or stupid person) · es imbécil (unlikable person) · tr aşağılık kimse (unlikable person) · it scatto (sudden, uncontrolled movement) · ru спазм (sudden, uncontrolled movement) · cs hovado (unlikable person) · bg изтласкване (weightlifting: type of lift) · fr sursaut (sudden, uncontrolled movement) · fi nykäys (physics: rate of change in acceleration) · cmn 傻瓜 (unlikable person) · pt sacudida (quick, often unpleasant tug or shake) · id bajingan (unlikable person) · es tic (sudden, uncontrolled movement) · cs kretén (dull or stupid person) · de Wichser (unlikable person) · cs blbec (dull or stupid person) · fr secousse (quick, often unpleasant tug or shake) · fr myoclonie (sudden, uncontrolled movement) · it tic (sudden, uncontrolled movement) · fr convulsion (sudden, uncontrolled movement) · de Saftsack (unlikable person) · tr ani hareket (quick, often unpleasant tug or shake) · cs blb (unlikable person) · ms sentakan (physics: rate of change in acceleration) · es tumbo (quick, often unpleasant tug or shake) · cs blb (dull or stupid person) · ko 가가속도 (physics: rate of change in acceleration) · fi kusipää (unlikable person) · it stronzo (unlikable person) · ur چنڈال (unlikable person) · cs škubnutí (quick, often unpleasant tug or shake) · fi ääliö (dull or stupid person) · ka სპაზმი (sudden, uncontrolled movement) · es cabrón (unlikable person) · cs trhnutí (quick, often unpleasant tug or shake) · eo stultulo (unlikable person) · fi nykäys (quick, often unpleasant tug or shake) · cs debil (dull or stupid person) · de Zuckung (sudden, uncontrolled movement) · tl gago (unlikable person) · it strappo (quick, often unpleasant tug or shake) · cs blbec (unlikable person) · fr soubresaut (sudden, uncontrolled movement) · hu seggfej (unlikable person) · tl kupal (dull or stupid person) · ja ジャーク (weightlifting: type of lift) · fi nykäisy (quick, often unpleasant tug or shake) · is viðbragð (sudden, uncontrolled movement) · fr connard (unlikable person) · be рывок (physics: rate of change in acceleration) · de Ruck (quick, often unpleasant tug or shake) · da fjols (unlikable person) · cs hlupák (dull or stupid person) · de Arsch (unlikable person) · sv spasm (sudden, uncontrolled movement) · nl tic (sudden, uncontrolled movement) · fi toope (dull or stupid person) · da idiot (unlikable person) · cmn 加加速度 (physics: rate of change in acceleration) · ru рыво́к (physics: rate of change in acceleration) · de Blödmann (dull or stupid person) · it scemo (unlikable person) · id sentakan (physics: rate of change in acceleration) · ru деби́л (unlikable person) · is kippur (sudden, uncontrolled movement) · de Arschloch (unlikable person) · ru рыво́к (quick, often unpleasant tug or shake) · es espasmo (sudden, uncontrolled movement) · it babbeo (unlikable person) · ru муда́к (unlikable person) · ka კვრა (quick, often unpleasant tug or shake) · sv tölp (unlikable person) · fr suraccélération (physics: rate of change in acceleration) · es sacudida (quick, often unpleasant tug or shake) · pt cacoete (sudden, uncontrolled movement) · pt puxada (quick, often unpleasant tug or shake) · cs cuknutí (sudden, uncontrolled movement) · cs trhnutí (sudden, uncontrolled movement) · fi nytkähdys (sudden, uncontrolled movement) · hi झटका (sudden, uncontrolled movement) · hu geci (unlikable person) · ru су́дорога (sudden, uncontrolled movement) · de Sackarsch (unlikable person) · it idiota (unlikable person) · fr tic (sudden, uncontrolled movement) · id perubahan percepatan (physics: rate of change in acceleration) · cs škubnutí (sudden, uncontrolled movement) · fi kiihtyvyyden muutos (physics: rate of change in acceleration) · es culeado (unlikable person) · es tirón (quick, often unpleasant tug or shake) · bg дърпане (quick, often unpleasant tug or shake) · nl droplul (unlikable person) · it chiavica (unlikable person) · pt trejeito (sudden, uncontrolled movement) · sv idiot (unlikable person) · ota طوی (dull or stupid person) · fi mulkku (unlikable person) · mi pahiwi (quick, often unpleasant tug or shake) · id bangsat (unlikable person) · id brengsek (unlikable person) · ka ტოკვა (sudden, uncontrolled movement) · de Trottel (dull or stupid person) · fr tressaillement (sudden, uncontrolled movement) · eo aĉulo (unlikable person) · fr cahot (quick, often unpleasant tug or shake) · ru гни́да (unlikable person) · de Flasche (unlikable person) · cs nadhoz (weightlifting: type of lift) · it sobbalzo (sudden, uncontrolled movement) · ru гад (unlikable person) · es estremecimiento (sudden, uncontrolled movement) · cs pitomec (dull or stupid person) · ca sobreacceleració (physics: rate of change in acceleration) · fi säpsähdys (sudden, uncontrolled movement) · is kippur (quick, often unpleasant tug or shake) · es soplagaitas (unlikable person) · ar هَزَّة (quick, often unpleasant tug or shake) · ru вздра́гивание (sudden, uncontrolled movement) · es tirón (physics: rate of change in acceleration) · ru негодя́й (unlikable person) · cy twpsyn (dull or stupid person) · fi paskiainen (unlikable person) · sv ryckning (sudden, uncontrolled movement) · ja 加加速度 (physics: rate of change in acceleration) · sv knyck (quick, often unpleasant tug or shake) · cmn 抖 (quick, often unpleasant tug or shake) · el κόπανος (unlikable person)