selfdefined/11ty/definitions/derpy.md

---
title: derpy
slug: derpy
flag:
  text: 'Ableist Term'
  level: avoid
defined: true
excerpt: clumsy, foolish, unattractive, or otherwise unintelligent act or person.
speech: adjective
alt_words:
  - ridiculous
  - clumsy
  - foolish
  - misshapen
  - malformed
  - silly
reading:
  - text: Derp is ableist and offensive
    href: https://americandramedy.blogspot.com/2013/06/derp-is-ableist-and-offensive-stop.html
  - text: Ableist words and terms to avoid
    href: https://www.autistichoya.com/p/ableist-words-and-terms-to-avoid.html
---

clumsy, foolish, unattractive, or otherwise unintelligent act or person.

## Related Words

derp, derp face, herp derp, hurr durr

## Issues

Derpy is very commonly used as an adjective to describe someone's clumsy or foolish behavior, occasionally that of the speaker themselves. Sometimes it is used as a direct replacement of the [r-word](https://www.selfdefined.app/definitions/r-word/).

It is also used to describe someone else's physical features as unattractive or akin to someone with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In imagery, derpy or a so-called "derp face", is often signified by crossed eyes, a stuck out tongue, or permanent facial differences.

## Origins

The word "derp" found its first known use in the 1998 film __Baseketball__ by the creators of the American animated sitcom, __South Park__, and later in __South Park__ itself in the name of the character ["Mr Derp"](https://southpark.fandom.com/wiki/Mr._Derp). The creators of the show have expressed that the term is uttered when one "screws up". In these early uses the word is interchangeable with the words "duh", "hur" and "dur" that came before it, and may have directly or indirectly originated from them.

The word evolved in 4chan and other forums and began being associated with memes, where the "derpy" imagery began. It is there where it became associated with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/IDD) specifically, as people started overlaying "derp" over photographs of children with I/DD.

## Impact

Regardless of whether derpy is being used to describe yourself, or someone with or without an I/DD or physical disability, use of the word contributes to the dehumanisation, stigmatisation, and negative perceptions of people with an I/DD or physical (especially facial) differences.

By using ableist language, we are perpetuating violence against people who experience mental, developmental, or physical disabilities. Using this language perpetuates those systems and language of harm, regardless of our intent.

## Usage Tip

Be more specific. Typically we can find an alternate definition by taking time to reflect on what emotion we're really feeling. If you are describing a person's silly actions or expressions use a more relevant, descriptive word.

If you are using it to describe or refer to a person's disability or physical difference, don't.