This pattern looks like the semantic "missing link" between the two meanings of jerk: the fast driver is as stupid as the slow one, but in an especially annoying/harmful way.
After this specialization, from general stupidity to obnoxious and irritating stupidity, it is a small shift to pure obnoxiousness, implying moral but not intellectual inferiority.
But why, of many suitable words, "jerk" was the one who made this transition? Who is responsible?
After this specialization, from general stupidity to obnoxious and irritating stupidity, it is a small shift to pure obnoxiousness, implying moral but not intellectual inferiority.
But why, of many suitable words, "jerk" was the one who made this transition? Who is responsible?