Tracy’s Nerdisms

Don’t understand something I’ve written? Chances are it’s what my friends and family call a “Tracyism.”

I write like I talk and I talk with lots of random words and phrases that I’ve made up or picked up somewhere. What can I say? I’m kooky that way.

So here’s a quick explanation of some words/terms you might not understand. I’ll add to it as they come up.

Anyhooters – I say this one A LOT. It just means “anyways” but is way more fun to say.

GD – I was raised half Catholic-half Methodist with a twist of LDS so, even though I’m not very religious and I can cuss like a sailor, I have weird, almost superstitious issues with taking the Lord’s name in vain. But sometimes it fits, like the “Goddamn Batman” memes. So to compensate for that I usually just abbreviate it as “GD.” I also say “Jesus H. Roosevelt Christ” sometimes.

Heart – Sometimes I say “I love (blank)” and sometimes I say “I heart (blank).” Using “heart” instead of “love” apparently bothers some people. I couldn’t really give a shit.

Holy craparoni – I’ve been saying this since I was a kid. I don’t remember exactly when it started but I’m sure it involved Batman and Robin somehow. Kind of obvious that it’s just a Robin-ized version of “holy crap.”

HNG – this should be super obvious but people ask me about it sometimes. It’s just “Hot Nerd Girl” abbreviated. A fan just told me that it used to stand for “Horny Net Geek.” In my case, it does not.

Uff da / uff das mey / oof dah – this is my Scandinavian heritage coming out. We say these a lot in my family. I most often say “uff da” which is the Norwegian version of “oy vey.” I’m also Danish on my Dad’s side so will occasionally spell it “oof dah” but that’s pretty rare. “Uff das mey” is my way of saying “Oh my God” or “fuckin-a.”

Ishta – I got this from my Mom who’s been saying it for as long as I can remember. It’s a made up word and it basically means “shit!” Not to be confused with Ishta from Stargate.

Nerdgasm – when something is so epically amazing that it gives me a nerdy orgasm. Metaphorically speaking, of course.

Joygasm – when something makes me really, really, really happy.

Chowdiddlyocious – My bastardized way of saying “Ciao” or “goodbye.”

Confoosed – just my dorky way of saying “confused.” I also use “confoosing.”

Adorkable – When something is simultaneously dorky/nerdy and adorable.

Graduate / Graduated – “died” or “passed away.” This came from my beloved Grandmother who graduated in 2012 at the age of 96. In her opinion, people didn’t die, they “graduated.” It was one of her many grandma-isms.

What’s with the dog tags? – People often ask me why I’m wearing dog tags in some pictures. I got them when my brother joined the Marines and wore them every day that he was at basic training. One of them says “Proud Sister of a Marine” and the other says “Proud Navy Brat.” I’m a tid bit superstitious and a diagnosed Obsessive Compulsive so I’ve worn them every time my brother goes to some form of training or on a mission. I rarely wear them when he is at home. Military family members often feel helpless and it’s my way of showing solidarity and protecting him in the only way I know how.

Wearing my dog tags at the Del Mar Fair
Wearing my dog tags at the Del Mar Fair

0 comments

  1. One of my exclamations is “Jesus H. Tap-dancing Christ on a crutch!”
    I also use a few BSG (70’s original) terms like “felgercarb” and “frak”.
    As a survivor of four years of a Catholic military boarding school (LONG story), four years of Catholic all-male high school, and the Seventies, Eighties, and Nineties, my language skills have broadened somewhat; I use the Lebanese “ay he wud” (unsure of the spelling), which is a rough equivalent of “oy vey iz mir”.
    Interesting things.

  2. Holy Shitake! You have an empire of insightful updates on the “nerd” community from rockin’ cosplay snap shots to very profound reviews like your take on the Hunger Games, especially Katniss and Peeta and their actor counterparts.

    I really connected with the segment in your introduction where you mentioned females feel the need to hide their inner geek due to the ignorance of the public. I also allowed myself to fall victim to this fate. I enjoyed semi-older Japanese RPG video games (I read your Final Fantasy article, by the way), but don’t talk about this aspect of myself out of fear of ridicule from either side – “normal” folks and 100% dedicated JRPG fans. However, I do find it interesting that you claim Twilight as one of the revolutionaries that empowers women on this issue. Hehe!

    I really favor the word “graduate” from your dictionary above. It’s really powerful. You’re (or grandma is) right. An ending is never a true ending. It’s just a new beginning that is unknown to us, so the term graduated really sums up that fact. I am going to use it for now on.

    Well, Tracey, I am honored that I met you. You’re truly an amazing person. I hope I meet you again one day, may be at a convention. As for establishing yourself in the world of nerd-dom, I think you’re already there. You really have a remarkable brand and the info and following to back it up.

    Good luck to you,

    Sabrina

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *