Jefferson High School - Jeffersonian Yearbook (Alexandria, VA)

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hether we like it or W not, TJHSST is con- sistently referred to as the ‘‘Nerd School.” Yet ironically, I’ve never heard anyone ask where the word Nerd originated. If we’re nerds, shouldn’t we know? So now I’m asking. The following information is drawn from the diligent research of John C Dvorak, a noted columnist for a popular computer jour- nal. Tracking down the origin of the word Nerd was difficult. It not only dates back to the 50’s, but it has two different spellings. As the Second Barnhart Dictionary of New English notes “Nerds... Also spelled ‘Nurd’.” Although you’d probably be surprised, there are people who actually insist on spelling the word Nerd with a U. Most of these ‘“‘U supporters” de- fend their belief by assuring that Nurd was originally a combination of the words Nut and Turd. Or, if you listen to the students at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Nurd originated from Knurd, which is Drunk spelled back- wards. According to the stu- dents, Knurds are always studying, never have fun, and What do you mean U a are thus the opposite of Drunks. But neither of these theories is more than 20 years old at best. And neither of them deals with the true spelling. Most dictionaries uncon- vincingly suggest that Nerd was derived from the word Nert. Again, look at the entry from Barnhart, which states “Nerd: 1965. Originally hot rod and surfing slang, prob- ably an alteration of earlier slang ‘nert’ meaning stupid or crazy person, itself an alter- ation of nut.” Many lexicolo- gists will further argue that nerd is a derivation of the old saying “ne’er do well.” And some modern engineering students have proposed that Nerd came from the acro- nyms “Nervous Evasive Re- pulsive Disgusting” or “Neu- rotic Engineers in R D.” Someone has even suggested that Nerd was named Mor- timer Snerd. But the problem remains that all of these hy- potheses are either blatantly silly and or only date back to the 1960’s. So where did the word Nerd come from? In 1950, Theodor S. Geisel (aka Dr. Seuss) published a book entitled Jf I Ran the Zoo. If you go to the children’s lel 29 Ml STUDENT LIFE section of any public library and check out the book, you'll find the birth place of the word Nerd in one of Dr. Seuss’s since-forgotten char- acters. The spelling is correct, the timeframe is accurate, and you'll agree that the little guy is indeed, well, a Nerd. SONG KANG After the strenuous physics exam, Derek Robinson didn’t feel much like eating.

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Tim Abrahms concentrates on his classmates as they stabilize their bridge, an experiment in architecture without steel beams. door, another student contin- ues broadening his knowledge by reading and @riting Chi- neseW O 2:46 P.M. 4:00 PM. THe baskgtbal) Aayer fin- ishes his second package of M M’s a®he Walks frdth the snack bar to his era study @All. @his is one of the more popular fays to spend eighth period for a@letes and other studerits who stay after school. Nr those who can af- ford to put off Ahcir home- work until after dinner, intra- murals, lik@volteyball or floor hockey, and ¢hubs, such as the Games Club or the Keyettes are more popular. Of course, you can always find a colonial working hard in chemistry or math tutoring. 4:01 P.M. — NEXT MORNING . During their studies of the Re- naissance, the sophomore hu- manities students were visited Ee Ont by Jim Rose. Mr. Rose let Ste- most, the 7 , phen Bluhm and Donny Pat- school day terson experiment with build- is over and ing a bridge out of blocks. Removal: begins on the long bus ride home, but some students stay after. Bas- ketball players and track team members practice until almost 6:00 p.m. The swim dive team and the gymnastics team, have practice off of school grounds and must be back at 6:30 p.m. to catch a late bus home. Athletes are not the only ones who stay after school. Debate team members and students work- ing on the Westinghouse pro- ject or a deadline for TJ To- day often put in hours after school. After dinner, home- work, and some long distance phone calls, the tired colonial greatfully collapses in his bed and dreams until the foghorn wakes him up once again. Jeri Chittick Jenny Snyder TIME OF OUR LIVES @ 21

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ROB EASTON Thad Barkdull - - one of the Or, ay great GQ models of our time. ; = Look Ma, No hands! Craig Miller is just goofing off be- tween classes. el REVENGE OF THE NURDS [ 23