Geek...Nerd, what's the difference? (final edit)
On the Differences between Geeks and Nerds
If you ever call a Jedi a Trekkie, you may just find a Lightsaber at your neck. You may find yourself wondering why this nerd has taken such offense; it's not like everyone understands the Star Wars universe and that’s true, but what else is true is that you may have made another mistake: mislabeling a geek for a nerd. These terms may and have been used interchangeably, but no nerd calculates so hard and receives such perfect grades, to be called a geek. Likewise, no geek spends three weeks coordinating the perfect steam punk ensemble to be called a nerd.
There are two main etymological theories of where the terms "nerd" and "geek" comes from. In 1950, when suspenders, pocket protectors, and badly taped glasses were the rage, nerd first appeared in Dr. Seuess's If I Ran a Zoo. Supposedly, young readers enjoyed the line, “A Nerkle a Nerd and a Seersucker, too!” so much that they used the term in a derogatory manner. The second theory involves some Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students who coined the term "knurd" (which is the backward spelling for drunk) to describe students who studied too much.
In the case of "geek", the word's roots are found deeper into history. In the early portion of the 19th century, the Scottish word "geck", meaning fool, changed its spelling into geek. During that time, geek was used to describe a type of carnival performer whom specialized in the eating of live animals, including biting heads off of chickens. The second theory, according to some etymologists, also involves the word geck (taking the same meaning of fool), but is found in Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, Act V, which describes Malvolio as “the most notorious geck".
Today descriptions of nerd and geek are far less primal, and actually have taken on their own meanings. To the misunderstood, the meaning of geeks and nerds describes a socially inept person whose interests lie in obscure cultures and the academia. It is possible that someone can be both (and many are), but in the world of nerds and geeks, perhaps nerds are the more cerebral. If nerds are anti-social, it is generally because they are very focused on their studies, not because they are afraid of society (although some are). Calculus, sciences, and straight A's are what most nerds are made of, and they are marked with their need to achieve; the idea is that if they make enough money, who needs socializing? Nerds are raw brain power at its finest.
If nerds are nearly soulless calculators, a geek is a wild child. Geeks of today are almost always involved in fandom, although, the fandom generally has to do with a piece or pieces of popular culture, rather than sports. Geeks may also do well in academics, but are not always focused on that area; rather than honing skills in areas such as mathematics or sciences, geeks may be well versed in the language of Klingon, or memorized every line (and songs) from Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Like nerds, some geeks may be socially inept, but generally they are not because their primary devotion is on niche popular cultures that other like-minded geeks are into, no matter how obscure. Comic books, Dungeons & Dragons, Sci-Fi, and MMORPG's (massively multiplayer online role-playing games): tools of the geek, these are. To the outsider and to some geeks, geekdom is embraced because it is different. In reality, many geeks enjoy devoting their lives to activities such as cosplaying (which is short for "costume play”) because it's fun.
Other sources discussing the differences between nerds and geeks mention the idea that nerds and geeks are technologically savvy. This is not necessarily true. While again it is possible to do both, generally nerds understand the technical inner workings of a computer. On the other hand, geeks are generally known for creating and actively participating in internet culture. A blogger by the name of Eric Sink mentions the idea that normal people (and in this case, nerds) use computers to get things done, whereas geeks use the computer "just because they are shiny". If your computer is in need for repair or update, a nerd will happily do so (for a fee of course). If you need a web page for your small business or need to know what NSFW stands for, a geek may be of better assistance.
As stated, it is possible for a person to major in Neurology or American History, but their hobbies involve Quidditch (yes, it is a real intercollegiate co-ed sport) or World of Warcraft. While some are drawn to either side, many are in the murky area in between. Is there a label for those in between? Is there a hybrid brand of some sort? Not really. Even the terms "nerd" and "geek" on their own, are not simple labels. Get to know your nerd or geek. Ask them about their likes and dislikes, hobbies, and if they write any fan fiction - if they answer anything, it's likely that they're geeks!
By the way…pirates or ninjas?
If you ever call a Jedi a Trekkie, you may just find a Lightsaber at your neck. You may find yourself wondering why this nerd has taken such offense; it's not like everyone understands the Star Wars universe and that’s true, but what else is true is that you may have made another mistake: mislabeling a geek for a nerd. These terms may and have been used interchangeably, but no nerd calculates so hard and receives such perfect grades, to be called a geek. Likewise, no geek spends three weeks coordinating the perfect steam punk ensemble to be called a nerd.
There are two main etymological theories of where the terms "nerd" and "geek" comes from. In 1950, when suspenders, pocket protectors, and badly taped glasses were the rage, nerd first appeared in Dr. Seuess's If I Ran a Zoo. Supposedly, young readers enjoyed the line, “A Nerkle a Nerd and a Seersucker, too!” so much that they used the term in a derogatory manner. The second theory involves some Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students who coined the term "knurd" (which is the backward spelling for drunk) to describe students who studied too much.
In the case of "geek", the word's roots are found deeper into history. In the early portion of the 19th century, the Scottish word "geck", meaning fool, changed its spelling into geek. During that time, geek was used to describe a type of carnival performer whom specialized in the eating of live animals, including biting heads off of chickens. The second theory, according to some etymologists, also involves the word geck (taking the same meaning of fool), but is found in Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, Act V, which describes Malvolio as “the most notorious geck".
Today descriptions of nerd and geek are far less primal, and actually have taken on their own meanings. To the misunderstood, the meaning of geeks and nerds describes a socially inept person whose interests lie in obscure cultures and the academia. It is possible that someone can be both (and many are), but in the world of nerds and geeks, perhaps nerds are the more cerebral. If nerds are anti-social, it is generally because they are very focused on their studies, not because they are afraid of society (although some are). Calculus, sciences, and straight A's are what most nerds are made of, and they are marked with their need to achieve; the idea is that if they make enough money, who needs socializing? Nerds are raw brain power at its finest.
If nerds are nearly soulless calculators, a geek is a wild child. Geeks of today are almost always involved in fandom, although, the fandom generally has to do with a piece or pieces of popular culture, rather than sports. Geeks may also do well in academics, but are not always focused on that area; rather than honing skills in areas such as mathematics or sciences, geeks may be well versed in the language of Klingon, or memorized every line (and songs) from Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Like nerds, some geeks may be socially inept, but generally they are not because their primary devotion is on niche popular cultures that other like-minded geeks are into, no matter how obscure. Comic books, Dungeons & Dragons, Sci-Fi, and MMORPG's (massively multiplayer online role-playing games): tools of the geek, these are. To the outsider and to some geeks, geekdom is embraced because it is different. In reality, many geeks enjoy devoting their lives to activities such as cosplaying (which is short for "costume play”) because it's fun.
Other sources discussing the differences between nerds and geeks mention the idea that nerds and geeks are technologically savvy. This is not necessarily true. While again it is possible to do both, generally nerds understand the technical inner workings of a computer. On the other hand, geeks are generally known for creating and actively participating in internet culture. A blogger by the name of Eric Sink mentions the idea that normal people (and in this case, nerds) use computers to get things done, whereas geeks use the computer "just because they are shiny". If your computer is in need for repair or update, a nerd will happily do so (for a fee of course). If you need a web page for your small business or need to know what NSFW stands for, a geek may be of better assistance.
As stated, it is possible for a person to major in Neurology or American History, but their hobbies involve Quidditch (yes, it is a real intercollegiate co-ed sport) or World of Warcraft. While some are drawn to either side, many are in the murky area in between. Is there a label for those in between? Is there a hybrid brand of some sort? Not really. Even the terms "nerd" and "geek" on their own, are not simple labels. Get to know your nerd or geek. Ask them about their likes and dislikes, hobbies, and if they write any fan fiction - if they answer anything, it's likely that they're geeks!
By the way…pirates or ninjas?