Who first used the phrase sheeple?

The origin of the term "sheeple" is uncertain and contested. While it is often attributed to the 1940s, there's no definitive evidence to pinpoint a specific first use.

Here's what we know:

* Early Mentions: The term appears in various sources as early as the 1940s, often used to describe individuals who blindly follow the crowd or authority.

* Popularization: The term gained significant traction in the 1970s and 1980s, becoming more widespread as a pejorative term to criticize conformity and unquestioning obedience.

* Origins in Satire: Some argue that the term emerged from satirical contexts, where it was used to mock the tendency of people to behave like sheep.

However, there's no definitive evidence to confirm any specific individual or event that popularized the term. While the origin is shrouded in ambiguity, it likely arose organically within the English language to express a critique of uncritical thinking and herd mentality.