the meaning of "a jerk"?

Question

From the dictionary: A jerk means a idiot , stupid person ( not intelligent)
but in the real world , It seems to me that a jerk means a impolite , rude person. So what is the real meaning of this word? thanks alot

Answer 1

Someone disagreeable.

Answer 2

Jerk Meaning

Answer 3

Jerk Definition

Answer 4

In the early 1900's, trains sometimes had to stop in towns without a water tower to refill. These towns were called Jerkwater towns since the water had to be hauled from nearby streams. Jerkwater town (unsavory stop) jerk (unsavory person).

Carnival slang also used jerk in that era.

Some usage was found in the 1890's, but the actual genesis of the word is unclear.

Answer 5

that and more...

Definitions of jerk on the Web:

a dull stupid fatuous person
an abrupt spasmodic movement
yank: pull, or move with a sudden movement; "He turned the handle and jerked the door open"
move with abrupt, seemingly uncontrolled motions; "The patient's legs were jerkings"
(mechanics) the rate of change of acceleration
jerky: meat (especially beef) cut in strips and dried in the sun
twitch: make an uncontrolled, short, jerky motion; "his face is twitching"
raising a weight from shoulder height to above the head by straightening the arms
buck: jump vertically, with legs stiff and back arched; "the yung filly bucked"
tug: a sudden abrupt pull
throw or toss with a quick motion; "flick a piece of paper across the table"; "jerk his head"
wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

In slang, the term "jerk" can be used to describe a foolish, rude, immature, stupid, or contemptible person. This word was originated with the "jerkwater" towns of mid 19th century America, the pit stops the old steam engine trains needed to make to "jerk" water to the train, to bring it from the river to the train. The term "jerkwater" came to represent any small, remote town. The term "jerk" was then derived from these towns to represent inferior, unimportant people. ...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerk

Jerk is an industrial metal band from Sydney, Australia, comprised of Jonathan Devoy (Vocals, Guitar), Lamar Lowder (Drums), Charles Cilia (Guitar) and Leeno Dee (Bass Guitar).
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerk_(band)

is a Jamaican seasoning preparation in which meats and poultry are marinated in herbs and spices then cooked over a wood fire. Commercial blends are available in specialty stores and in supermarkets.
www.cooking.com/advice/adgloss.asp

Anyone that conducts themselves in a manner that discredits the hobby. This includes runners, scalpers, people that return cars to stores that they didn't buy them from, taking a car from a set and replacing it with a common car and then returning it to the store, and the like.
www.terrystoybin.com/diecastdic.htm

a style of preparing pork originated by the Maroons also now used for chicken and fish.
www.menu2menu.com/moodglossary.html

Answer 6

impolite and rude.

That's what I mean when I say "jerk"

Answer 7

i use jerk if someone is rude and disrespectful

Answer 8

a dull stupid fatuous person

Answer 9

it is both