I feel that the word gimp should be admitted into Standard American English because it is used widely throughout society, and if used correctly, it can take the place of words with a negative connotation.  The word gimp has had many different definitions since it was first introduced to the English language.  Maybe it�s because each new generation decides to create its own definition or maybe they just forget the definition and make one up.  No matter what the reason, in addition to those definitions already in existence, gimp will probably have many more new definitions as the years come and go.

      Although the origin of the word gimp is unknown, some believe it originated from the Dutch.  Some modern German dictionaries were said to have included the word gimp as well as recent French dictionaries.  In 1664, gimp was defined as silk, worsted, or cotton twist with cord or wire running through it.  The Oxford English Dictionary has many examples of how this definition was used and where, such as in 1800 when Miss Knight wrote in her autobiography, �To another lady I was in the habit of writing in the millinery style giving descriptions of gimps and ribands,�
(�Gimp� OED).  In 1827, the word gimp took on a new meaning, a fishing line composed of silk (�Gimp� OED).  This definition probably came about because the original definition meant silk and since fishing line was made out of silk, this interpretation was derived.  It�s hard to imagine that one word can have so many definitions.

    A few years later, gimp was used to describe the neckerchief or stomacher that was worn by nuns.  And in 1901, gimp was used to define courage.  In a magazine article written by a man named Munsey, he says, �Sort of took the gimp out of you, didn�t it?�(�Gimp� OED).  I�m quite perplexed as to how this usage came about from the original definition.  Honestly, what does silk have to do with courage; but like I said before, someone probably made it up.  How is anyone to learn all these definitions!

      Then we have the slang definitions.  Slang is something that many teenagers and adults use in their everyday language, but not everyone will have the same definition of the slang term.  The slang definition of gimp, to my friends and me, is someone who is incapable of performing a simple, easy task.  For example, I might use the word gimp if someone was unable to open a bottle of pop, or kept typing the wrong letters on a keyboard.  However, Cassell�s Dictionary of Slang defines it as, someone who is crippled or lame (�Gimp�).  I guess my definition can be a combination of the two; but as you can tell, the definition has been altered.

      If I were to pick out a slang term that is still used quite often by both young and old, I would have to say that the word retard comes to mind.  However, due to the negative connotation the word gives, I don�t think it used appropriately in most cases.  Many people often take offense when hearing the word retard, so in many situations it seems more appropriate to use the word gimp.

      Like I said previously, gimp is able to take the place of certain words, such as retard or slow.  Also, the word gimp doesn�t always need to give a negative connotation but rather can be used to jeer or tease someone in a kind way, for being incapable of doing something simple such as opening a can of pop.
It�s quite possible that someday another new definition for the word gimp could come about, but not likely given the many years this definition has been in existence.  Maybe one day, you could be the founder of a new definition and prove to everyone that YOUR definition is the BEST definition for the word gimp.