Jump to content
IGNORED

Possible Origin of the Word ZORK -- Li'l Abner, April 21 1935


DavidD

Recommended Posts

So I've been reading through collections of old comics and I stumbled across something interesting recently...

 

In his April 21, 1935 Sunday Li'l Abner comic, Al Cap runs a second spin off story alongside the Abner tale.  This side story features a character names Washable Jones who is off on a series of weird dream adventures.  On this day, though, Washable runs into ZORK - some sort of huge, man-eating monster thing that lives in dungeon.

 

I was curious now, as I didn't remember anyone ever explaining the origin of the word "Zork," other than a vague "MIT jargon."  I did some internet research and all could find was speculation that it was derived from "zorch" in the 1959 TMRC dictionary.  This, however, seems like the first print use of the phrase.

 

Given that Capp introduced all sorts of weird things into pop culture and vocabulary (Sadie Hawkins, the Schmoo), I'm tempted to believe that the origin of "zork" as an "MIT nonsense word" is from Li'l Abner.

 

Any thoughts?

 

“Li’l Abner: The Complete Dailies and Color Sundays Vol. 1” (978-1600106118)

 

zork-aa.png

Edited by DavidD
Adding book info
  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 8 months later...
Posted (edited)
3 hours ago, Pitfall Harry said:

It is an interesting coincidence, but I doubt it is anything other than just that.

 

 

-Ben

While I'm not saying that the Zork folks put the word in the game because they read the comic -- I am curious if the fake word "zork" was introduced in the comic.  Various words/terms/phrases/etc. emerged from Li'l Abner, and I could see a nonsense word sticking around and passed on second or third hand.

 

I'm not sure how you'd determine that... has anyone ever found more specific reasons given for the name "zork"?

 

(An earlier attempt to unearth the history of "zork" -- https://nickm.com/post/2010/01/a-note-on-the-word-zork/ )

Edited by DavidD
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't know where the term originally came from at MIT but it was common slang on campus used to described a broken or unfinished computer program.

It was still in use when I was there in the 90's-00's but I know it went back at least to the 70's according to some profs who were student hackers back then.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...