What is the difference between a Nerd and a Geek?

[Sinisatar]

I am a geek. I am exceptionally smart (which is why I type in whole words), and I ABSOLUTELY LIVE for games. Or would that make me a nerd because I have more than one specialty? Hmmm....  

[Invader Ciz]

Geeks specialize in computers mostly...my brother's a geek and he doesn't like anime, but he doesn't study either..and he wears jean shorts all of the time....and plain old t-shirts....

Nerds are all pocket protectors and such......
although they can also be just a smart person.

I'm part nerd and part geek.  

[The Rawk Hawk]

I am a Neek!

I like Anime,Video Games,D&D,...
But also I am good at school and learning for me is not boring...

People don't hate me or reject me, I am very friendly,polite and generous.  

[Da_Nuke]

Istian Goss

Quintafeira12

Well I'm a nerd, and for some reason I hate the only 100% geek example I know of. well hate is a bit harsh. It's more like being god danged tired of hearing his non-sense about the girl he likes (because she looks like an anime character, geez, he doesn't know a thing about her, that's all the reasons for him to like her) and random stuff like "Badabang Ignis" that he says when he doesn't know what to say. Plus he's allways making ew yu-gi-ho's decks and telling me everything about it! boring

That sounds either more like Otaku, or just a kid growing up. You really can't label people until they're 14 or older, and start to divide up into crowds.

Actually, that sounds more like 90% Dork with a small 10% of Otaku. If you want a dork, think about Napoleon Dynamite: no skills, no charm, no friends, totally useless.  

[Aome09]

I`m a mix between otaku, geek, nerd and metalhead xD  

[jazzdancergirl]

i don't really know the difference, but for some reason i think being a nerd is better than being a geek. i don't know why but i think nerd is a more positive description  

[The Other JayJ]

Im not anerd or a geek i just need gold  

[THEBANDNERD13]

well u have a point geeks have weird obsessions and nerds r just super smart, but im both mrgreen  

[Baagaa]

If we rely on a dictionary:

Quote:

geek
  Slang.
–noun
1. a peculiar or otherwise dislikable person, esp. one who is perceived to be overly intellectual.
2. a computer expert or enthusiast (a term of pride as self-reference, but often considered offensive when used by outsiders.)
3. a carnival performer who performs sensationally morbid or disgusting acts, as biting off the head of a live chicken.
Origin:
1915- 20; prob. var. of geck (mainly Scots) fool < D or LG gek

Quote:

nerd
   /nɜrd/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [nurd] Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun Slang.
1. a stupid, irritating, ineffectual, or unattractive person.
2. an intelligent but single-minded person obsessed with a nonsocial hobby or pursuit: a computer nerd.
Also, nurd.

Origin:
1960–65, Americanism; obscurely derived expressive formation

Those definitions are pretty mean, and I think nerd and geek are both often used positively nowadays. Then again, I live and work in the Silicon Valley, so my experience might be different from other people's. sweatdrop

I'm not sure if I agree with the dictionary definitions based on how the terms seem to be used colloquially, though. Generally, I hear people use nerd to describe people interested in learning (of any kind, whether general or specific), and I hear people use geek to describe people interested in specific (though not necessarily "weird") areas of niche knowledge (like computers, band, art, or anything else). They don't seem to be mutually exclusive.  

[truehiddenevil]

I probably fit into all of the above and then some. Programming, D+D, Role playing, Anime, Manga, IQ of 211, etc.

I also wish to correct the previous post's incorrect or partial definitions. A geek is a circus performer whose act usually involves biting the head off of a fish or chicken. a nerd is a type of candy manufactured by Wonka.

Try an encyclopedia it is far more accurate.  

[Asylum Renegade]

StarFaerieNomad

Besides, nobody uses the term "geek" in the real world anymore. Nerd just pretty much covers it all.

I am called geek quite frequently due to my Anime, Vid Game, RPG, D&D, Magic the Gathering and all around Fantasy loving self. I can't recall ever truly being called a nerd.  

[perryunicornboy]

my friend is really mean when I asked her the difference she said nerds are smart...  

[Craeosh]

all i know is that im some what of a geek, cause i play gaia, i like anime, and i play D&D... video games too surprised  

[agurl12345]

nerds=smart, no friends
geek=smart,friends