I use the word “blurb” a lot; I use it when referring to a short piece of text, like everyone else, but it’s a bit ambiguous, especially when trying to ask a client to write something. (FYI I’m totally wrong on my usage).

I realized it was a bit odd when I used the word with a German: “Sorry, what is ‘blurb’?”

Blurb /blɜrb/

Dictionary.com: (1) noun a brief advertisement or announcement, especially a laudatory one; (2) verb to advertise or praise in the manner of a blurb.

I checked The Online Etymology Dictionary, but I like the way Wikitionary describes it’s origin:

Coined by American humorist Gelett Burgess (1866-1951) on a book dust jacket at a trade association dinner in 1907. It said “YES, this is a ‘BLURB’!” and featured a (ficticious) “Miss Belinda Blurb” shown calling out, described as “in the act of blurbing”.

So now I can blurb away, but only appropriately.