Comments | gwynraven: Help me win an argument with my brother!

gwynraven

Help me win an argument with my brother!

Jul 22, 2010 15:57

We've been arguing on the difference between a 'geek' and a 'nerd'. Please indicate your opinions in the poll below. And remember, this is for posterity so be honest.

Poll Geeks and Nerds

geekiness, science, family

Comments 9

(The comment has been removed)

gwynraven July 23 2010, 00:23:03 UTC

Interesting take. I'd not heard that one before.

harkalark July 23 2010, 02:09:51 UTC

My understanding of the word "geek" has always been primarily physical and negative, as characterized in the 1977 song "Pencil Neck Geek" by Fred Blassie. "Nerd" is more related to the social ineptitude which is often caused by being withdrawn from mainstream society due to one's obsession with unpopular subjects. In terms of etymology, nerd is also a much newer word than geek ( ... )

harkalark July 23 2010, 02:33:00 UTC

And I forgot another important qualifier: intelligence. Note that the above definition of geek doesn't mention intelligence, but nerd does.

In high school, there was a guy I knew who looked like the typical stereotype: scrawny neck, big ears, bottle-thick glasses, goofy voice, etc. But he was also very stupid. Therefore he was too dumb to be a nerd, but he was a geek. The nerds were the smart ones, so they at least had that going for them.

gwynraven July 23 2010, 02:36:59 UTC

That might have been true then, but I think perceptions of the two words have switched. Wonderful how language can change isn't it?

gwynraven July 23 2010, 02:34:28 UTC

Ah, now, I feel that, in current usage, "geek" is the less offensive term. And do you really think that looking up the definitions wasn't the *first* thing I did when this discussion came up? :)

But in this particular case we're talking perception, not literal definition. And seems like most people in this poll agree that being a geek can be something to be proud of, being a nerd, not so much.

In light of the evidence from this highly scientific examination of a totally unbiased population - I WIN!!! Mwahahahaha!

Thread 7

nerds danorsong July 24 2010, 15:04:31 UTC

Smart isn't even an issue they have it I know a lot that have social skills and passion but with out that ... child like glee and obsession that geeks face. I think geeks tend to be more outwards with their love of stuff and nerds can internalize it.