twerp

== English == === Alternative forms === twirp === Etymology === Of uncertain origin; originally British slang of the 1910s. In a letter, dated 6 October 1944, J. R. R. Tolkien mentions a contemporary of his at Oxford University T.W. Earp, calling him "the original twerp"; but no corroborating evidence for this etymology has come to light. Other suggestions include: a clipping of Antwerp (“type of racing pigeon that flew between Antwerp and London”); the onomatopoeic twirp (“imitation of the sound of a bird”); a dialectal variant of dwarf (compare Middle English dwerf); Welsh twp (“a fool”). === Pronunciation === (General American) IPA(key): /twɝp/ (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /twɜːp/ Rhymes: -ɜː(ɹ)p === Noun === twerp (plural twerps) (colloquial) (UK) A fool, a twit. Synonyms: twit, git (US, childish) A small or puny person; one regarded as insignificant, contemptible. Synonyms: twerk; see also Thesaurus:worthless person (US, childish) A person who can be bullied playfully, or easily teased. Sometimes used as a pet-name (often for a younger sibling). ==== Related terms ==== derp twerk ==== Translations ==== === References === See Citations:twerp.