What does geek mean in slang?

What does geek mean in slang?

Noun. Slang. A person whose interests ALWAYS take precedence over popularity or conformity. A person who displays the willingness to bear the public shame of liking some weird thing and not caring who knows it.

Is geek a negative term?

“’Geek’ is a great example of a word that has evolved from having a negative meaning to having a positive one. “Its origins are in the 19th century, but it has most recently changed from describing someone preoccupied with computing to someone who is passionate about any field of expertise.

Why is nerd used as an insult?

A nerd is a person seen as overly intellectual, obsessive, introverted or lacking social skills. Originally derogatory, the term “nerd” was a stereotype, but as with other pejoratives, it has been reclaimed and redefined by some as a term of pride and group identity.

Is geeky a compliment?

Geeky is not about your mental state, it’s how you relate to the world. “To me, nerd is a compliment and geek is an insult,” said Cohen. “I feel like with ‘nerd culture,’ [it sounds like] the nerds have triumphed. ‘Geek’ has a negative connotation.

What does geek mean as a verb?

​[intransitive, transitive] to be or become extremely excited about something, especially something that only a few people are interested in. geek (out) (about/over something) We chatted and geeked about pop culture we both like.

What did geek used to mean?

Geek was originally an early 20th-century term for a carnival worker who was so unskilled that the only thing the worker could do at the carnival to entice an audience was to bite off the heads of live animals. Essentially, a geek was a socially undesirable person who lacked any skill or ability.

When did geek become a word?

The first documented case of “geek” dates all the way back to 1916. At the time, the term was used to describe sideshow freaks in circuses.

What is a geek vs nerd?

The words “nerd” and “geek” are often used interchangeably, as if they mean the same thing. They actually don’t: geek – An enthusiast of a particular topic or field. nerd –A studious intellectual, although again of a particular topic or field.

Is Geek a rude word?

In the past, it had a generally pejorative meaning of a “peculiar person, especially one who is perceived to be overly intellectual, unfashionable, boring, or socially awkward”. In the 21st century, it was reclaimed and used by many people, especially members of some fandom, as a positive term.

What is the difference between a nerd and a geek?

A Nerd is someone who is passionate about learning/being smart/academia. A Geek is someone who is passionate about some particular area or subject, often an obscure or difficult one.

What makes someone a Geek?

One thing that could potentially distinguish geeks from the rest of the people is their undying commitment to the things they love, be it gaming, high-tech gadgets, or comics. If you have that something that your life revolves around, you’re closer to being a geek than you think.

What is a Geek and a nerd?

Nerd: “socially awkward” and “an intelligent but single-minded person obsessed with a nonsocial hobby or pursuit” Geek: “a digital-technology expert or enthusiast” and “a person who has excessive enthusiasm for and some expertise about a specialized subject or activity”

What does the word’geek’mean in a sentence?

The word geek is a slang term originally used to describe eccentric or non-mainstream people; in current use, the word typically connotes an expert or enthusiast or a person obsessed with a hobby or intellectual pursuit, with a general pejorative meaning of a “peculiar person, especially one who is perceived to be overly intellectual,…

What do you call someone who is a geek?

Some use the term self-referentially without malice or as a source of pride, often referring simply to “someone who is interested in a subject (usually intellectual or complex) for its own sake”. The term geek is often used interchangeably with the terms nerd and dweeb.

Where did the term ” geek ” come from in the 1800s?

In 18th century Austria, Gecken were freaks on display in some circuses. In 19th century North America, the term geek referred to a performer in a geek show in a circus, traveling carnival or travelling funfair sideshows (see also freak show ). The 1976 edition of the American Heritage Dictionary included only the definition regarding geek shows.

What’s the difference between a geek and a nerd?

The term nerd has a similar, practically synonymous meaning as geek, but many choose to identify different connotations among these two terms, although the differences are disputed. In a 2007 interview on The Colbert Report, Richard Clarke said the difference between nerds and geeks is “geeks get it done” or “ggid”.