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The term "Muppet" (capitalized), coined in 1954 by Jim Henson for his puppet act, has unofficially become a slang term (lowercase) with different meanings in various regions. The term is currently owned by the Walt Disney Company's subsidary, Muppets Holding Company.
Regional usage
In Great Britain and in Ireland the word muppet has come to be used as a mild term of abuse, meaning a stupid, incompetent, or moronic person, or the obvious interpretation of someone who is inanimated or somehow not there. In a physical context alluding to the tendency for Muppets to wave their arms around or otherwise move clumsily on-screen. It is often used mildly affectionately. It can also be applied (in the United Kingdom but not in Ireland) to an aesthetically displeasing individual. [1]
The Swedish translation mupp is often used in a similar manner. [citation needed]
The term muppetry is also rapidly gaining popularity as a description for an individual, or group of people collectively behaving in a muppet like fashion. The origins are believed to have come from workers in large organisations, who were unhappy with the low to non-existent level of thought or application, that other colleagues put into their work. For example - "I'm sorry the figures will be late this quarter, due to the high amount of muppetry going on in the accounts department", or "Gregory's muppetry appears to have been infectious." [citation needed]
In México there's a drink called Muppet, wherein a shot of tequila is added to a shot of lemon-lime soda in a glass. It then is pounded on the table and is drunk in one shot. [2]
The popular BBC Radio 2 DJ Steve Wright often gives contestants of his 'Big Quiz' a 'stificate of muppetry' for contestants who fail spectacularly on the general knowledge questions. [citation needed]
In Law Enforcement circles, Muppet has been held to stand for 'Most Useless Police Person Ever Trained'. [citation needed]
In the MMORPG "EVE ONLINE", Muppet has similar -but altered- meaning for 'Most Useless Pod Pilot Ever Trained'.
References
- ^ http://www.mightymuppets.com/
- ^ "Muppet". Webtender.