The primary difference, as far as I can fathom, is one of applicable knowledge.
A "nerd" is anyone who shows a socially uncouth amount of attention to any given subject.
While a "Geek" is someone who does so to the extent that said person could seek gainful employment in a field related to their geekdom.
Example... A zombie 'nerd' survives the apocolypse, while a zombie 'geek' profits off of his knowledge of zombie anatomy by selling shotguns to nerds.
You see?
Etymologically speaking... "Geek" stems from the Germanic "Geck" meaning "to excel through cheating." (chicken biting is an unrelated later usage) While "Nerd" comes from "Nert" meaning a "stupid or crazy person." Possessing none of the witty "Ace" qualities that "geck" has, making "Nerd" the more derogatory of the two.
They're interchangeable, much like "Dork" and "Doofus" are interchangeable. But still different.
I think we should adopt a new word that works as an umbrella to cover both... "Neek" or "Gerd" perhaps.
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branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2009-09-26 03:38 pm (UTC)A "nerd" is anyone who shows a socially uncouth amount of attention to any given subject.
While a "Geek" is someone who does so to the extent that said person could seek gainful employment in a field related to their geekdom.
Example...
A zombie 'nerd' survives the apocolypse, while a zombie 'geek' profits off of his knowledge of zombie anatomy by selling shotguns to nerds.
You see?
Etymologically speaking...
"Geek" stems from the Germanic "Geck" meaning "to excel through cheating." (chicken biting is an unrelated later usage)
While "Nerd" comes from "Nert" meaning a "stupid or crazy person." Possessing none of the witty "Ace" qualities that "geck" has, making "Nerd" the more derogatory of the two.
They're interchangeable, much like "Dork" and "Doofus" are interchangeable. But still different.
I think we should adopt a new word that works as an umbrella to cover both...
"Neek" or "Gerd" perhaps.