Mortimer Snerd was a dummy created by Edgar Bergan, in 1938, to be the slower-witted counterpart to Bergen's primary puppet Charlie McCarthy. The character appeared in various radio and television shows, including The Muppets.
In the novel Carrie, "Mortimer Snerd" is a nickname given to unpopular students by a gang of popular girls / bullies led by Christine Hargensen. Carrie White is one of the unpopular students bullied by this gang; although not made explicit, we can assume that she is referred to as a Mortimer Snerd.
Novel[]
In Carrie, the name "Mortimer Snerd" was used as a derogatory term by Chris Hargensen's clique in order to bully other students.
Only 2 members of Chris's gang (Christine Hargensen and Sue Snell) are recorded as having used the term "Mortimer Snerd". Its use by Chris is known second-hand via a conversation between Principal Henry Grayle and Christine's father John Hargensen.
"Seventy-four assigned detentions. Twenty of those have been for harassment of misfit pupils, I might add. Fifth wheels. I understand that Christine's clique calls them Mortimer Snerds. They find it all quite hilarious"
Sue Snell uses the term directly but ironically, when thinking about a version of the future in which she is an upper-middle class wife and mother.
"No fifth wheels need apply. Mortimer Snerd, please keep out. Aspiring country club members and future residents of Kleen Korners only."
Known Mortimer Snerds[]
- Carrie White
- Irma Swope (almost lost 2 toes when Christine Hargensen put a firecracker in her shoe at Chamberlain Junior High school)
Notes[]
- Norma Watson, Ruth Gogan, Rhonda Simard, Vicky Hanscom, Myra Crewes, Jessica MacLean, Jeanne Gault, Maureen Cowan, Stella Horan, Sally McManus, Holly Marshall, Sandra Stenchfield, Frieda Jason, Cindi and Fern are all speculated as being members of Chris's gang - and therefore may have used the term "Mortimer Snerd", but it is unknown
1976 Film[]
The term "Mortimer Snerd" does not appear in the 1976 film Carrie. However, Chris Hargensen uses the word "nerd" twice.
"She can't get away with this. I'm going to get her. That goddamn nerd"
"Bull shoot! That goddamn nerd and her bat shot mother -- saying we're all going to hell."