I was cursed to be called after my father. I loved him, but I didn't love my name. It sounds so ponderous in English and even worse in US English.
If that wasn't enough with the rise of Computer Technologies it would take on a more sinister association - as this song explains.
Do you (C) know where the word "Nerd" came from?
I (G) know it all too (C) well
It comes from my name Bernard
The (G) story I will (C) tell
It (F) seems that all these tech obsessed
(C) Guys with no girlfriends
Spent (G) all day on their PCs
Pur(C)suing the latest trends
Like (F) overgrown adolescents
They were (C) all obsessed with sex
Many were called Bernard
And to a (G) man they all wore (C) specs
The (F) language that they gave us
Was (C) full of silly jokes
(G) Bytes and bits for starters
They were (C) that kind of a bloke
Then (F) in came hard and floppy disks
I (C) think you'll all agree
Those terms were far more often used
For (G) part of their anato(C)my
CHORUS
I've (F) always hated "Bernard"
Since the (C) founding of Intel
Its as(G)sociations with "Nerd"
Have (C) made my life a hell
So (F) now they call me Berni
And (C) not that cursed word
I'm a Trekkie, not a Techy
But I'm (G) certainly no (C) nerd
Now you know where the word "Nerd" came from?
So (G) may I be so (C) bold
To say "Live Long and Prosper"
Now (G) that my story's (F) told (G) (C)
@infilktion Mar 2022
This is wonderful! Very well done!
@berni1954 Feb 2022
Don't worry about my mental health on this one. I exagerrated the effect for the song. But the etymology is true. Bernard = bare nerd... Later shortened to Nerd.
@ajna1960 Feb 2022
Ha ha ha this is so silly, and at the same time I'm worried about laughing in case it's very real and making you very upset !
Great song and a great story :)
@nadine Feb 2022
Nerd I mean. Cannot edit posts on mobile sorry!
@nadine Feb 2022
Really? The word need came from Bernard?! I didn't know this. But welcome in the club of people with good names which were exploited by pop culture. Mine is always connected to a dumb touchy 80s gal ... and one of the silliest persons on TV.
@kahlo2013 Feb 2022
Ha! This is great! I love the humor in this and it is good to know this about you! :)
@hmstreetteam Feb 2022
I take my hat off to anyone who dares attempt an etymology song! And it works, too!
@pianoquest Feb 2022
I came for the song and stayed for the free etymology lesson. Nicely done!
@musicsongwriter Feb 2022
So cute and fun song! Sorry for your experience. You've made a very lovely song. A pleasure to listen to.
@blindsheepdog Feb 2022
just bravo!
@sheilerk Feb 2022
I'm sure that was no fun at a time when such things mattered. I like Bernie better anyhow. What a clever run at this prompt! As ever, it flows like a river, fast and sure, and the rhymes are first rate, but the great performance with your sense of humor and expressive lilt just put a smile on my face. NaNoo NaNoo!
@thedutchwidows Feb 2022
I love this! The line "Many were called Bernard and to a man they all wore specs" is genius! I love when song tells a very specific story, without labouring meaning over rhyming/rhythm. This totally delivers! Very nice work!
@chroes Feb 2022
Oh, what a cute song! Had a good time listening to it, it made me smile! :)
@jwhanberry Feb 2022
As one who's name was the punch line in many a childish joke, I share your pain. I hope you got some of it out in this fun song.
@jtsteam Feb 2022
Well now I know :). I eventually gave up objecting to being called a nerd myself. I feel like it's been reclaimed and is more positive now.
@cindyrella Feb 2022
How much fun is this? Your uke playing is delightful! Creative!
@rubberbandage Feb 2022
You know who adds metadata to songs they’ve carefully self-recorded and uploaded to a website with the tag “etymology”? Nerds! And I’m glad to be in that group, thank you very much.
Loved this jaunty and informative tune, bravo to you and your name!
@feb21sundari Feb 2022
Oh, the explanation is interesting too. I should have asked you instead of the google translator. Then I would have written a song for Bernard. Joke. But really well done... consistent in itself.
@jayjay Feb 2022
Lol Berni. Another fun ditty with excellent wordsmithery. You do this so well.
@keithcuts Feb 2022
lol
creativity a ten
thats funny stuff in there
a crafty weaving of your name into the prompt
amazing
fun melody in there
well done!