# The other word introduced by E.C. Segar **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [March 19, 2000, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-other-word-introduced-by-e-c-segar/848 "2000-03-19T04:43:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2000, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-other-word-introduced-by-e-c-segar/848/1 "2000-03-19T04:43:00Z")
In this week’s column, Cecil (correctly, of course) attributes the origin of the word “Jeep” partly to E.C. Segar, author of the Thimble Theater comic strip (home of Popeye, Olive Oyl, Wimpy, et al.) Segar also introduced the word “goon” to the language. Alice the Goon was a huge “thing” enslaved by the Sea Hag, who used Alice to try to dispose of Popeye. The word was adopted to mean a hired thug. Is there any evidence that the word “wimp” comes from J. Wellington Wimpy in the same comic strip? * * * ---
**Author:** ![JillGat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9fc29f/32.png) [@JillGat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JillGat)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2000, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-other-word-introduced-by-e-c-segar/848/2 "2000-03-19T04:52:00Z")
[http://www.straightdope.com/columns/000310.html](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/000310.html) There’s the link to the column. Jill ---
**Author:** ![Kat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b19c9b/32.png) [@Kat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kat)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2000, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-other-word-introduced-by-e-c-segar/848/3 "2000-03-19T15:38:00Z")
I doubt that wimp is derived from Wimpy as, according to [Why was spinach once considered the ultimate vegetable?](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a3_120.html), Popeye (the character) appeared in 1929. _Dictionary of Word Origins_ says “The first record of the word _wimp_ ‘feeble ineffectual person’ is from as long ago as 1920” so unless Wimpy was existant, and popular enough to make the connection recognizable, 9-10 years before Popeye, I doubt that’s the origin. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2000, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-other-word-introduced-by-e-c-segar/848/4 "2000-03-19T16:21:00Z")
I would almost guess the reverse for wimp/impy/Wimpy. I could easily see Segar picking the burger guy’s name to quickly establish a personality. Similarly, goon existed before Segar’s use as a word for a large, unintelligent, person. My guess would be that Segar used the word as a name to immediately imply the lack of intelligence and great strength of the character. When he used the character in an “enforcer” role, the meaning in the public usage shifted to include the other sinister qualities (of being a stooge for an evil master/organization) that we now associate with it. * * * Tom~ ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2000, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-other-word-introduced-by-e-c-segar/848/5 "2000-03-19T17:31:00Z")
tomndebb: in re your statement > [@](#): > > I could easily see Segar picking the bu **r** ger guy’s name to quickly establish a personality. _bolding mine_ I simply wanted to express how grateful I am that you’re a concientious speller and proofreader. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2000, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-other-word-introduced-by-e-c-segar/848/6 "2000-03-19T17:32:00Z")
Forgive me. _conscientious_. Carry on. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2000, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-other-word-introduced-by-e-c-segar/848/7 "2000-03-19T19:51:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Dictionary of Word Origins says “The first record of the word wimp ‘feeble ineffectual person’ is from as long ago as 1920” And George Bush was born in 1924. Coincidence? ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2000, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-other-word-introduced-by-e-c-segar/848/8 "2000-03-19T23:32:00Z")
Okay, so we’ve found that “wimp” predates Popeye’s introduction by 9 years. Popeye, however, was introduced into an existing strip (Thimble Theater?.) Is it possible that Wimpy existed in the strip as far back as 1920? * * * AskNott "Measure twice, cut once. Dang! Measure again, cut again. ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2000, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-other-word-introduced-by-e-c-segar/848/9 "2000-03-20T01:38:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by AskNott: > \*\*Is it possible that Wimpy existed in the strip as far back as 1920? > \*\* No. Wimpy was first introduced as a referee in one of Popeye’s 'sprise fights. Wimpy’s character was not originally that of a wimp. He was cheerfully selfish and corrupt.