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Jun 25, 2024 · In "Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back," Leia famously calls Han Solo a "nerf-herder." Here's the real meaning behind her iconic insult.
- Mike Bedard
- Overview
- Behind the scenes
- Appearances
- Sources
- Notes and references
This article is about the profession. You may be looking for the comic.
"Why, you low-down, stuck-up, half-witted, scruffy-looking nerf-herder…"
"Who's scruffy-looking?"
―Princess Leia Organa and Han Solo
A nerf herder, also spelled "nerf-herder" or "nerfherder," was someone who herded nerfs on various planets throughout the galaxy. As it was perceived as an occupation for lower-class beings, the term "nerf herder" became an insult used throughout the galaxy. Nerf herders were often somewhat simple, but as a result of living outdoors and fighting off anything that interfered with their herds, they became quite capable.
The corresponding adjective for the insult "nerf herder" was "nerf-herding"; when Salla Zend was reunited with her former lover Han Solo, she referred to him as a "nerf-herdin' son of a —."
A pop-punk band derived its name from this phrase.
Non-canon appearances
•"Sandstorm" — Star Wars Tales 15 (Mentioned only) •"The Rebel Club" — Star Wars Tales 19 (Mentioned only) •Tag & Bink Are Dead 2 (Mentioned only) •Star Wars: Tiny Death Star (Mentioned only) •"A Wookiee Scorned!" — Star Wars Tales 10 (Mentioned only)
••Star Wars Customizable Card Game — Hoth Limited (Card: Scruffy-Looking Nerf Herder) (backup link)
••Star Wars Customizable Card Game — Jabba's Palace Limited (Card: Rennek) (backup link)
•Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds: Prima's Official Strategy Guide
•"Mountain Nerf" (original article link) on Wizards.com (content now obsolete; backup link)
•"Star Wars Q&A" — Star Wars Insider 68
•Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic: Prima's Official Strategy Guide
1.Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back novel
2.Dark Empire 3
3.Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Orders"
In other languages
Nerf herders were individuals who herded members of the nerf species. The phrase could also be used as an insult. A number of nerf herders could be found on Eadu. Aurebesh graffiti on the inside of the entrance to the latrine in the 79's cantina on Coruscant said "GRIEVOUS IS A NERFHERDER".
Best. CJGibson • 8 yr. ago. I'm actually going to disagree with most of the results here. It's actually much more akin to calling someone a "burger flipper" than it is any racial, sexuality, or gender-based epithet. You're talking about an insult that's based on a career choice.
Mar 25, 2016 · One of those mysteries, which is probably not as intriguing as the others, is why Princess Leia called Han Solo a "stuck-up, half-witted, scruffy-looking nerf herder" in The Empire Strikes...
Oct 17, 2022 · Fans of the original Star Wars trilogy are familiar with the hilarious scene in Empire Strikes Back when Leia calls Han Solo a nerf-herder, even if they weren’t exactly sure what the insult meant.
People also ask
Why do people call Nerf herders?
What does a Nerf Herder do?
What is the difference between a Nerf and a herder?
Why does Leia call Han a Nerf Herder?
Mar 24, 2016 · Thanks to Disney’s ongoing attempt to expand their newly bought Star Wars universe, they’ve revealed just why she refers to the loveable rogue as a nerf herder.
