Nuances of 'twerp'?

[cimorene]

I was surprised to find only these definitions of "twerp" at wiktionary:

Noun

twerp (plural twerps)

(UK, colloquial) A fool, a twit.

Now you've broken it, you twerp!

1940, Fred Godfrey (lyrics and music), “Bless 'Em All”‎[1], performed by George Formby:

There's many an airman just finishin' his time. There's many a twerp signing on.

(US, colloquial, childish) A small or puny person; one regarded as insignificant, contemptible.

Get out of my way, you little twerp!

(US, colloquial, childish) A person who can be bullied playfully, or easily teased. Sometimes used as a pet-name (often for a younger sibling).

I would have said that it also carries an implication that the puny character is a pest, like... a terrier, or Brad Marchand. But this definition definitely doesn't allow for that implication.

Glancing through a page of search results, only Britannica and Urban Dictionary seem to have that nuance ("annoying" and "obnoxious").

What about everyone else?

Comments

[phosfate]

In current American English a twerp is more likely to be called a "little shit."

[zana16]

Yes, that’s my connotation for “twerp.” Though it’s been years since I’ve heard the word.

[phosfate]

I think it lasted a lot longer on TV than it did in real life. I hear it on old radio shows a lot, where you weren't even allowed to say "belly" or "guts."

[cimorene]

That's true. I like old slang and terms and spend most of my time reading old fiction, so modern context often doesn't occur to me.