Nerd, geek, or "neek"?

[Chocolatepanacea]

I was talking to a friend the other day, and we realised that we were unaware of the actual "proper" use of the words geek and nerd. I've continued to talk to people who are also unsure of the proper terminology.

Thus, I looked "geek" and "nerd" up on UrbanDictionary.com, and got the following:

GEEK:
"The term now enjoys a special status within the technical community, particularly among particularly knowledgable [sic] computer programmers. To identify oneself as a "geek" indicates a recognition that most people still consider programming computers to be a bizarre act, along with a certain fierce satisfaction in being very good at their inglorious profession."

NERD:
"An 'individual', i.e. a person who does not conform to society's beliefs that all people should follow trends and do what their peers do. Often highly intelligent but socially rejected because of their obesssion with a given subject, usually computers."

A problem arises when we realise that "nerd" is pejorative, and "geek" is usually more... positive. Ergo, I've coined the phrase "neek," a nerd and geek in one, mend as a positive or negative term.

What confuses me, however, is why "nerd" is suppose to be negative, whereas "geek" is rarely offensive... yet stems from those who eat chicken heads. Any explanation?  

[OmG NoMoR3]

... Neek is what Duddits called sneakers in Stephen King's Dreamcatcher... "Fit wha? Fit neek?"... Had to point that out. >.>

Well, I've never really considered being a nerd to be a bad thing. Is not conforming to trends and being particularly good a certain skill really so bad? Perhaps I think this way because I've always been a bit of a "nerd"... I prefer to follow my own path, be it in actions or... clothing, even! Plus, I love being all computer savvy and dressing like an anime character on occasions. ^_^;

Plus, I must point out those t-shirts that everyone wears that say something along thing lines of "I <3 Nerds".  

[Argent Wraith]

I looked it up in the dictionary. Yes, I have no life. XD The definition of "geek" is a performer who performs wild, disgusting, and bizarre acts, and the definition of "nerd" is a person who lacks social skills, is boringly studious, and is a single-minded expert in a certain field. So, I'm not sure. I've always called my friends (and myself, sometimes!) nerds (in jest). Nowadays, the words can be used with their traditional meaning, as a derogatory term, or in jest.

I like "neek," though!

Visit my new quest thread, please?

 

[Odenpa Kunoichi]

I always thought of nerds as the smart studious type who enjoys math, while I see geeks as the dorky type, like gamers, trekkies, otaku, etc.  

[Dragon Razikale]

Neek is an excellent word and I'm glad that I randomly decided to look in again and see your post. 3nodding sweatdrop Though, I did have some strange thought that geeks were really into sex...but I have no idea why!?  

[Swell Sundae]

I thought that a nerd and a geek were the same, but my older brother explained to me that they're not... somehow. In a long explanation I can't even remember @_@. However, to put it in simple terms for me, he stated that there are 3 statuses- Nerd, Geek, and Dork. (I don't why, but it was funny when he explained it.) The explanation was pretty long for this too, so I'll ask him about it later when he comes back from his mini vacation ._.  

[Organic Shadows]

The original meaning of 'geek' was a circus entertainer who bit the heads off of live chicken. Isn't that awesome?  

[SiCKittie]

I am a geek. I'm not a nerd because i'm not smart. I just do and like weird things.  

[Patron with a Mission]

I had to laugh to myself when my stepmom told me I needed to stop dressing like a "geek," and I immediately thought of this post.

I am fairly intelligent, though I am not a true genius; I just love the things I love, and apparently that makes me unpopluar. I stopped caring a long time ago. So, whether geek or nerd, I'm happy to be who I am.

Neek? I like the sound of that. 3nodding As for why one is offensive and the other is not, I have no clue. The world sure is a funny place.  

[Triste]

For me, the definition of "nerd" is of a reclusive person who is happy at being left alone doing whatever it is he/she likes to do. Now, this is usually something very "tough" or "thinking-heavy," like mathematics and whatnot.

A "geek" can generally socialize, however he/she has a specific subject matter or hobby which he/she enjoys very much to the point of (or close to) obsession.  

[Zemedelphos]

Here is my stand on it, geek is seen as a positive term, due to the fact that everyone is a bit of a geek. To me, geek is basicly one with an extreme amount of knowledge of a particular subject, so calling someone a geek is playful.

Nerd, however, is extremely derogatory.

What point would, neek serve, I wonder though.  

[MyntyGreen]

Mitsuki the ninja

I always thought of nerds as the smart studious type who enjoys math, while I see geeks as the dorky type, like gamers, trekkies, otaku, etc.

I agree! 3nodding Although it might just be because I think of myself as a nerd.... But I'm not antisocial or anything, so I don't know....