gimp

¹

[ gimp ]

noun

1. a flat trimming of silk, wool, or other cord, sometimes stiffened with wire, for garments, curtains, etc.
2. a coarse thread, usually glazed, employed in lacemaking to outline designs.

gimp

²

[ gimp ]

noun

, Chiefly Northeastern U.S.

1. spirit, vigor, or ambition:

   She didn't have the gimp to look for a better job.

gimp

³

[ gimp ]

noun

1. a limp.
2. Usually Disparaging and Offensive. a term used to refer to a person who limps or is lame.

verb (used without object)

1. to limp; walk in a halting manner:

   a sprain that made her gimp for weeks.

gimp

⁴

[ jimp ]

adjective

, Scot. and North England.

1. a variant of jimp.

gimp

¹

/ ɡɪmp /

noun

1. offensive.
   a physically disabled person, esp one who is lame
2. slang.
   a sexual fetishist who likes to be dominated and who dresses in a leather or rubber body suit with mask, zips, and chains

gimp

²

/ ɡɪmp /

noun

1. a tapelike trimming of silk, wool, or cotton, often stiffened with wire

Sensitive Note

When describing someone who is lame, gimp is used with disparaging intent and perceived as insulting. But within the disability community, it is sometimes a term of self-reference.

Other Words From

• gimpy adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of gimp¹

First recorded in 1655–65; probably from Dutch gimp; further origin unknown

Origin of gimp²

First recorded in 1900–05; origin uncertain

Origin of gimp³

An Americanism dating back to 1920–25; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of gimp¹

C20: of unknown origin

Origin of gimp²

C17: probably from Dutch gimp, of unknown origin

Example Sentences

Today’s Republican Party and its leaders and other influentials on the right-wing and “conservative” movement are Trump’s supplicants, part of his neofascist movement, and political gimps who are desperate for his approval.

From Salon

A man has been found guilty of causing intentional harassment, alarm or distress after scaring female motorists while dressed in a gimp suit.

From BBC

Twin chairs sit opposite the couch, green gimp and nailhead trim adding a stately detail to the delicate pair.

From Seattle Times

A teenager has described a "freaky" late-night encounter with a man wearing a "gimp suit".

From BBC

Kreamelmeyer’s amputee friends have for a long time jokingly referred to themselves as “the gimp club.”

From New York Times

Related Words

• hitch