# I think The Simpsons just used a word I kind of invented! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 10, 2012, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-the-simpsons-just-used-a-word-i-kind-of-invented/643557 "2012-12-10T01:27:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2012, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-the-simpsons-just-used-a-word-i-kind-of-invented/643557/41 "2012-12-10T20:16:55Z")
I didn’t know that about how Google works. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2012, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-the-simpsons-just-used-a-word-i-kind-of-invented/643557/42 "2012-12-10T20:20:39Z")
> [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > I didn’t know that about how Google works. Thanks. I didn’t used to work that was but I was up in San Jose on business once and was talking to a friend of mine in a crowded pub about how it should work that way. All that I can assume is that I was overheard. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2012, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-the-simpsons-just-used-a-word-i-kind-of-invented/643557/43 "2012-12-10T20:27:15Z")
Haw haw haw. Crack jokes on me when I’m down. But I’m not a quitter. I will force some phrase into the English American lexicon. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2012, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-the-simpsons-just-used-a-word-i-kind-of-invented/643557/44 "2012-12-10T21:46:53Z")
> [@Tangent](#): > > I remember a thread here where some posters thought the term “asshat” originated on the Dope. It’s a big world out there, y’all. The concept of coining the word “asshat” isn’t even unique to the Dope. It’s much less common now, but back in the late 90s/early 2000s, every discussion board I visited would eventually have a thread titled, “Hey! Did \_\_\_\_\_\_ steal the word asshat from us?” ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2012, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-the-simpsons-just-used-a-word-i-kind-of-invented/643557/45 "2012-12-10T22:02:01Z")
Look, I don’t want to be mixed up with the cornballs who think “asshat” or “when come back bring pie” is a doper thing. I know my memes, generally. I just honestly thought I personally made this up, because I remembered the thought process on the day that I ‘thought of it.’ Turns out I was wrong, but I don’t want to be clumped in with dopers who think every meme on this board is native to the Straight dope. I don’t want folks runnin’ up on me talkin’ bout, 'Excuse me, I hope you don’t think ‘douchenozzle’ was created here on the straight dope, because I knew it when it was on /b/ at 4chan and then redditt, I am very hip and edgy and before-it-all." I didn’t mean to go off on a tangent, but it’s blowing my cool to be grouped with the people who learn a phrase late, think it’s a doper thing and then have to be corrected by hipsters. I didn’t consciously ‘learn’ this phrase. I honestly thought I ‘made it up’. Small difference, I know. But still. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2012, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-the-simpsons-just-used-a-word-i-kind-of-invented/643557/46 "2012-12-10T22:20:56Z")
No way you are a part of that group and I have no doubt that you came up with the idea independently. ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2012, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-the-simpsons-just-used-a-word-i-kind-of-invented/643557/47 "2012-12-10T22:36:33Z")
Whew. Thanks. I do feel a little better, because my daughter’s response was priceless when I told her. She took it so seriously and vowed to help me think of something else. How awesome of her not to dismiss me for being petty about silliness. She gets me! ---
**Author:** ![bienville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@bienville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bienville)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2012, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-the-simpsons-just-used-a-word-i-kind-of-invented/643557/48 "2012-12-10T22:50:29Z")
If it makes you feel any better . . . My grandfather at age, oh about 70 or so, was frustrated that there was not a utensil that really worked well for eating grapefruit. He had an idea. He took a regular spoon, then ravaged the tip with a set of pliers so that the tip of the spoon was jagged and sharp. He found this sharp tipped spoon to be perfect for grapefruit. Proud of himself, he bragged to a friend about this clever Grapefruit Spoon he had invented . . . His friend was not gentle in breaking the news that Grapefruit Spoons had _long_ been in existence and available for purchase at any of the most common of stores that sell such things. ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2012, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-the-simpsons-just-used-a-word-i-kind-of-invented/643557/49 "2012-12-10T23:39:49Z")
> [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > I didn’t mean to go off on a tangent 😃 S’okay. I meant no offense by bringing up the asshat thing, though obviously this incident is similar enough to make me recall that one. And I’m no hipster! ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2012, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-the-simpsons-just-used-a-word-i-kind-of-invented/643557/50 "2012-12-10T23:44:47Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > No way you are a part of that group and I have no doubt that you came up with the idea independently. But thinking that someone in the media saw you, specifically, using your word, and chose to use it themselves? Yeah, that’s in the same group as the people who go “OMG WEIRD AL READS THE DOPE HE USED THE SAME JOKE I DID LAST WEEK” ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2012, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-the-simpsons-just-used-a-word-i-kind-of-invented/643557/51 "2012-12-10T23:55:14Z")
Grrrr. No! It is not. I honestly did some research. Memes DO start somewhere, Bosstone. Sometimes from very humble beginnings. I personally did some homework (poorly, but I didn’t really understand how google works.) In the midst of my research, I did put the word up on Urban Dictionary, after checking to see that it wasn’t already there, duh. I then started noticing the word picking up some traction. I would google it and see some usage of it on other message boards, AFTER I had already posted it on UD. It actually got used in The HuffPo, and I \*\*know \*\*that usage stemmed from here. So this isn’t the same thing, your wack ass over the top all caps quote notwithstanding. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2012, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-the-simpsons-just-used-a-word-i-kind-of-invented/643557/52 "2012-12-11T00:01:17Z")
> [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > It actually got used in The HuffPo, and I \*\*know \*\*that usage stemmed from here. Really? How do you know that? > [@](#): > > So this isn’t the same thing, your wack ass over the top all caps quote notwithstanding. It’s called hyperbolic humor. Cripes, don’t take it so personally. But yeah, unless you can show a clear link I’d say it’s the same thing. ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2012, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-the-simpsons-just-used-a-word-i-kind-of-invented/643557/53 "2012-12-11T00:04:44Z")
Show a clear link to what? It’s not the same thing. I just explained to you the difference. I think it’s kinda lame to jab me when I’m all disappointed about my little phrase not really being mine and then say, “Hey! Don’t be so sensitive!” Come on. Low hanging fruit. I’m still in mourning. I think you are just trying to make snama. That’s right, baby, sneak drama. I’m not a quitter! I know the HuffPo stemmed from here because the author was a poster here and she pretty much passively acknowledged it in a thread here. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2012, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-the-simpsons-just-used-a-word-i-kind-of-invented/643557/54 "2012-12-11T00:09:19Z")
> [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > Show a clear link to what? It’s not the same thing. I meant show a clear link from you coining sneakbrag to the Simpsons using humblebrag. > [@](#): > > I know the HuffPo stemmed from here because the author was a poster here and she pretty much passively acknowledged it in a thread here. All right, although I did searches for sneakbrag and humblebrag and you didn’t use either one on this board until you learned about humblebrag in October. I mean, if you’re just goofing, yeah I’m probably being too serious. But if you’re being serious, you…really need to ease it back. ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2012, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-the-simpsons-just-used-a-word-i-kind-of-invented/643557/55 "2012-12-11T00:11:43Z")
> [@Bosstone](#): > > I meant show a clear link from you coining sneakbrag to the Simpsons using humblebrag… Oh, I can’t. It turns out I was wrong. I didn’t make up sneakbrag after all. Someone beat me to it. That’s why I’m still smarting. ETA: The rest of your post is wrong or weird or both, so I just ignored it and responded to the part that made sense. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2012, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-the-simpsons-just-used-a-word-i-kind-of-invented/643557/56 "2012-12-11T00:13:20Z")
> [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > Oh, I can’t. It turns out I was wrong. I didn’t make up sneakbrag after all. Someone beat me to it. That’s why I’m still smarting. Fair 'nuff. My condolences on your loss. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2012, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-the-simpsons-just-used-a-word-i-kind-of-invented/643557/57 "2012-12-11T00:25:21Z")
[Here’s “humble brag” from 1997](https://groups.google.com/group/rec.games.video.classic/browse_thread/thread/a3b9808aca802fc5/8e131a8cfcdab5ab?hl=en&q=%22humble+brag%22#8e131a8cfcdab5ab). I’ve been checking to see if there’s some glitch with the dates, but it seems like it’s right to me. Although you can argue that a “humble brag” is different than a “humblebrag.” I can actually see an argument for that. However, it just goes to show you that the idea is common and most likely developed simultaneously in various linguistic pockets. ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2012, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-the-simpsons-just-used-a-word-i-kind-of-invented/643557/58 "2012-12-11T00:32:44Z")
Geez, pulykamell. My great grandma just called me from the afterlife. She gave me a cite from 1815, “Effie, yo cotton satchel sho is purty! I wish I could keep mine so clean and proppa like dat, but I’se pick so much cotton dat it jes stay tatted and tone an aint nevva gwine come clean!” “Oh, Mattie, you shush dat humba braggin’ ya heah? We’s knows you done picked de most cotton!” ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2012, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-the-simpsons-just-used-a-word-i-kind-of-invented/643557/59 "2012-12-11T00:40:25Z")
Sometime in the early- to mid-90s I started using the term 2MIG in emails and on message boards as a shortened version of “too much information given.” It was used in both “I-don’t-need-to-know-all-the-nasty-intimate-details” and “too-long-didn’t-read” situations. I really did try to get it to catch on, but “TMI” and “TLDR” won out. Ah well. ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2012, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-the-simpsons-just-used-a-word-i-kind-of-invented/643557/60 "2012-12-11T00:42:23Z")
Have a seat here next to me, Happy. We’ll have a drink and dream of what could have been. Wait. I just got an earlier cite of ‘humblebrag’… “And Moses did humblebraggeth of how fortunate were those not favored of the lord, that they should have to carry such heavy tablets.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-the-simpsons-just-used-a-word-i-kind-of-invented/643557.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-the-simpsons-just-used-a-word-i-kind-of-invented/643557.md?page=4)