Word
gimp
UK/ɡˈɪmp/
Definition
n. a very offensive and rude word for a man who is not attractive or has no sexual appeal. It is a very vulgar insult and should be avoided in polite conversation.
n. a highly derogatory and vulgar term for a man perceived as physically unattractive or sexually undesirable. Often used as a pejorative to mock a person's appearance or social status.
Examples
“He was called a gimp by his enemies online.”
“The comedian used the word gimp in his act to shock the audience, though it was clearly intended as a crude joke.”
“While the term gimp has historical roots in the 19th century, its modern usage is almost exclusively restricted to crude insults and internet trolling, where it serves as a blunt instrument of social derision.”
Examples
simple
“He was called a gimp by his enemies online.”
contextual
“The comedian used the word gimp in his act to shock the audience, though it was clearly intended as a crude joke.”
complex
“While the term gimp has historical roots in the 19th century, its modern usage is almost exclusively restricted to crude insults and internet trolling, where it serves as a blunt instrument of social derision.”
Etymology
Attested since about 1660, perhaps from Dutch gimp or French guimpe, and likely from Old French guimpre, a variant of guipure, a kind of trimming. The regional sense of "gumption" is attested since about 1905, and may have developed due to the reinforced nature of gimp cord, or possibly the influence of the words gumption and gumph.
Attested in US slang since the 1920s. Maybe influenced by, or cognate with limp.
Scots. Alternative form of jimp. Compare Welsh gwymp (“fair, neat, comely”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/gimp