Not-so-funny stories about words and phrases that originated on the funny pages.
Goon
The word probably derives from gony, a slang term used by English sailors as a blanket term for large, goofy-looking seabirds like the pelican and albatross. It found its way into regular English in the late 19th century to describe individuals who didn’t quite look like other people. Cartoonist E.C. Segar adopted the word for Thimble Theater, his early 20th century comic strip that gave the world Popeye, Olive Oyl, and other characters, such as Alice the Goon. She was strong, and eight-feet-tall, and it’s the usage in the very popular comic strip that led to the use of “goon” to describe an intimidating thug.
Jeep
Another linguistically influential Thimble Theater character was Eugene the Jeep, a yellow creature that only made the sound “Jeep! Jeep!” (hence the second part of his name). Eugene was also very excitable and enthusiastic, and in the military in World War II, “jeep” became slang for a raring-to-go serviceman. Over time, “jeep” also became slang for a four-wheeled military vehicle, and afterward, the official name of the civilian car inspired by those military cars.
Keeping up with the Joneses
The phrase is more familiar today than the comic strip, but the term that means “to try and impress others in your social circle by buying stuff” comes from the name of a once-popular strip. Arthur “Pop” Momand wrote and drew Keep Up with the Joneses from 1916 to 1945. Momand took inspiration for the strip from his experiences being one of the less-wealthy residents in a fancy New York City neighborhood.
Brainiac
It’s a derisive term for a smart person…or a sarcastic insult for a person who did something dumb. Either way, the word originated in the print versions of Superman in 1958. Brainiac was an incredibly intelligent alien villain who squared off against the Man of Steel.