Nerds and Geeks... Whats the difference?

[Ash08]

I've always wondered, whats the difference between nerds and geeks. Is there one? Is one more professional then the other? Lets find out what the playground thinks!



(That was the wierdest last sentence I've ever writen, don't balme me I just couldn't think of a better one...)

[Jorkens]

I don't claim to have the definitive answer but to me a geek is basically someone who's unashamedly interested in 'uncool' stuff - be it roleplaying, science fiction, computer programming, trainspotting, history, physics, folk music, scrabble, linguistics or whatever - in an intense and intellectual and bookish sort of way. Whereas a nerd is someone who doesn't really do conversation, which isn't neccessarily the case with a geek. The phrase "he's a total geek but he's actually pretty cool" might be heard from a non-geek, the phrase "he's a total nerd but he's actually pretty cool" is less likely.

Most nerds are geeks, but not all geeks are nerds.

That's how I use them, anyway.

[valadil]

For nerds, geeks, and dorks I've heard 3 different definitions. Which group gets which definition depends who you ask.

In my own personal definition, nerds are scholastically oriented. Geeks are obsessive and usually prefer non mainstream entertainment. Dorks are slow socially and hang out with whomever accepts them (which is usually geeks or nerds).

Geeks are capable of geeking out over any number of topics. A sports fan who knows all the statistics and memorizes histories of championships is a sports geek, even though sports are not the usual subject of geekery.

[Cheesegear]

Stuff

I always used the terms to mean;

Nerd; Well, a nerd.

Wheras a geek can do all the things a Nerd can, in addition to being able to talk to 'normal' people without making obscure references. Basically, a geek is a 'cool' nerd.

[Myatar_Panwar]

Yeah I agree with Jorkens.

A geek is someone who is into all those cool things like video games and D&D, while a nerd does the same things, yet brings along the negative social aspects that are stereotypically plastered on people that play video games/ D&D/ etc.

[snoopy13a]

A nerd is defined by academic or professional study as well as personality. Peyton Manning, a professional football player, is sometimes called a nerd for his percieved extensive studying of game films and his media personality (watch a couple of his commercials).

Therefore, someone who excels academically is often called a nerd. Being called a nerd is sometimes a backhanded compliment. For instance, calling someone a physics nerd implies that they are very knowledgable about physics.

A geek is defined by their recreational interests not academic or professional study. An engineer could be considered a nerd but not neccesarily a geek. Geeky interests would be science-fiction, fantasy, anime, roleplaying games, etc. This is opposed to non-geeky interests such as sports, shopping, bar-hopping, etc. Note that nerds do not necessarily have geeky interests. Therefore, not all nerds are geeks (such as Peyton Manning). Nor are all geeks nerds as not all geeks have extensive academic or professional knowledge.

Overall, a nerd is defined by extensive academic or profession study along with certain personality traits. On the other hand, a geek is defined by their recreational interests.

[Tirian]

A geek is someone who might prefer study in their specific areas of knowledge to purely social activities, where a nerd is someone who has no proficiency in ordinary social rituals. You can be either or both, although I suspect that most nerds would be somewhat desperate to find some field in which to "geek out".

[SurlySeraph]

There is nothing that is nerdier or geekier than arguing about the distinction between nerds and geeks.

[Myatar_Panwar]

There is nothing that is nerdier or geekier than arguing about the distinction between nerds and geeks.

Even geekier than doing a little jump for glee when I saw this in the mail today?

http://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Vault-Treasures-Memorabilia/dp/0061257311

I was actually pretty sad when I realized that I had boughten it for a friend for Christmas, and would have to give it up/ not open it. :smallfrown:

[SilentNight]

Yeah, Jorkens just about nailed it. Simply put. Geek = more mainstream nerd.

[Archpaladin Zousha]

I always imagined the distinction between geeks and nerds as being like the difference between my dad and I.

I'm a nerd. I like D&D, sci-fi and fantasy, computer games and maybe going to cons or something in the future.

My dad is a geek. He likes sci-fi (he's never expressed major interest in fantasy), and he likes to fiddle around with computers and technological stuff.

So in essence I've view it like this.

Nerds are more casual. They dabble in things, and may have an interest in things, but they're armchair scholars in most cases, especially when it comes to technology.

Geeks are more hardcore. Not only are they knowledgeable about things, they know how to do them. They'll actually write program codes or assemble a computer from scratch.

This is evident in the stuff we read. I read D&D books and my dad reads computer programming manuals.

[Ivius]

I usually define book geek and nerd as "having a recreation interest in an obscure or usually academic field", with nerd being general and geek being specific. Dorks just aren't good with people. So, the first two can overlap with the third, and a bit with each other.

[Don Julio Anejo]

IMO it all depends on who you ask.

For someone who's not (both doesn't consider himself and isn't considered by others to be) a nerd, geek or dork, the terms are interchangeable.

Also, to a mainstream person, being a geek or a nerd doesn't just imply being interested in traditionally nerdy stuff like sci-fi, fantasy, computer games or technology. The label also has some negative stereotypes attached to it like a lack of social skills (or stereotypical appearance or poor hygiene or a number of other things). That is, a popular funny charismatic guy who likes reading fantasy and wants to be an engineer is not a nerd by general consensus, despite spending a lot of his free time doing nerdy things like reading fantasy or making toy robots.

Dork (to a mainstream person) is probably location-based. In some places (as evident by looking up the term on urbandictionary.com) it means someone who has no social skills. But in a lot of other places, it means someone who's either clueless or clueless in a cute way when it comes to flirting.

[Setra]

I always used the terms to mean;

Nerd; Well, a nerd.

Wheras a geek can do all the things a Nerd can, in addition to being able to talk to 'normal' people without making obscure references. Basically, a geek is a 'cool' nerd.
I always heard the reverse.


To me a nerd is someone who likes something geeky (Star Wars, Manga, Computers, etc.), and a geek is someone who specializes.

A Nerd may like star wars, whereas a "Star Wars Geek" will buy as many Yoda Mugs and Darth Vader helmets as he can.

[ghost_warlock]

IMO it all depends on who you ask.

This is pretty much what I think, too.

For me, a nerd is someone who may wear thick glasses, loves math and computer programming, or some other clean-hands science. Nerds have a lot of specialized knowledge, tend to be exceptionally smart but physically weak, and may be lacking in 'street smarts' or social skills. May tend to faint at the sight of blood.

Geeks perform for the circus and bite the heads off of stuff. :smallwink: If not employed for the circus, though, geeks also love science but can be found in 'wet' sciences that would make nerds faint. Geeks play with spiders, snakes, and dead stuff. Replace thick glasses with safetey goggles. Geeks are sometimes wanna-be mad scientists who aren't afraid to get their hands bloody dirty. Geeks tend to be confident, socially, but get a bit of a kick out of the fact their hobby/profession grosses most people out.

[Lemur]

I always imagined the distinction between geeks and nerds as being like the difference between my dad and I.

I'm a nerd. I like D&D, sci-fi and fantasy, computer games and maybe going to cons or something in the future.

My dad is a geek. He likes sci-fi (he's never expressed major interest in fantasy), and he likes to fiddle around with computers and technological stuff.

So in essence I've view it like this.

Nerds are more casual. They dabble in things, and may have an interest in things, but they're armchair scholars in most cases, especially when it comes to technology.

Geeks are more hardcore. Not only are they knowledgeable about things, they know how to do them. They'll actually write program codes or assemble a computer from scratch.

This is evident in the stuff we read. I read D&D books and my dad reads computer programming manuals.

This is how I've understood it. Nerd-> generalist, Geek-> specialist, if you're going to even draw a distinction.

However, I've noticed that there's very little consensus among people on how exactly to define these. I've also noticed that if a person defines one "positive" and one "negative" than he/she is likely to describe him or herself as the positive version.


There is a problem with trying to rigidly define the terms (if you haven't already noticed by reading the responses to this thread). Both are casual speech terms, and in casual speech they're often used interchangeably. So it might be more accurate to say that there is no difference, making the words synonyms. I'm perfectly comfortable with doing this.

One has to wonder where the definition gap comes from- is it regionally based, or possibly influenced by generation? (Quick everyone- list your age and location, it's for... research purposes :smalltongue:) Also, asking on a forum like this means you're dealing almost entirely with nerds/geeks, who are probably the only ones who really care about how to define the words in the first place. Asking what people outside the subculture think might actually provide more consistent answers (or it might not).

So the question I have, is discussing linguistics nerdy, or geeky? Or both?

[Nerd-o-rama]

Terms and labels are meaningless.

[xPANCAKEx]

geeks - people with not-so-popular social interests (music, rpgs, cosplay), but do it in the full knowledge that it isn't cool, and manage to hold down a social life that a normal person can equate to (likes the company of ther people, clubbing, sports

nerds - someone who intensely studies a subject, and can talk about it in an intelligent manner. Usually lacks social graces.

dorks - the lowest of the pile - not so popular social interest, very little interest in a 'normal' social life, doesn't particularly excel at anything

[horngeek]

One distinction I have heard- Nerds like Star Wars, Geeks like Star Trek.

The one I subscribe to is this (as a nerd)
Nerds: All around smart guys. Will have lots of facts/information about various subjects. Will often be not as experienced socially (ESPECIALLY on the oppisite sex). Whether it is a positive or negative term depends on who uses it, and whether they emphasise the brains or the social ineptitude of nerdiness.
Geeks: Somone who is good with computers. Nuff' said.

[mikeejimbo]

Geeks bite the heads off chickens.

[KnightDisciple]

Terms and labels are meaningless.

Especially this set.

[Player_Zero]

Terms and labels are meaningless.

Doesn't that include all nouns?

[Dallas-Dakota]

Geeks specailize in certain things, nerds are just scholastically orientated.
Or that's my view on it...

[SilverSheriff]

If you need to ask then you don't need to know.:tongue:

[paddyfool]

I always thought that the Nerd was computer-, or sometimes maths-specific, whereas a Geek can have an obsessive interest in pretty much anything, even though the term is usually used in reference to computers, science, sci-fi etc. (I'm also not quite sure why I said "the Nerd" versus "a Geek" - perhaps it's because I feel a Geek to be more normal than a Nerd).

We also have an old term in the UK which I don't think you use in the US, namely "Boffin" or "Boff" for short, which again is someone with a strong interest in something, more often science-related than otherwise.

On the subject, see my sig for a Geek Pride cause! ;-)

[Avilan the Grey]

Geeks are capable of geeking out over any number of topics. A sports fan who knows all the statistics and memorizes histories of championships is a sports geek, even though sports are not the usual subject of geekery.

Agreed.
Computer Geek, Car geek, Fashion Geek (sex and the city will never be the same if you start thinking of them that way)...

Also I think Geeks are becoming more and more accepted because more and more of the "geeky" hobbies have become mainstream. And more girl-accepted. One example is computer / console gaming, where the divide nowadays is pretty exactly 50-50 between girls and boys (under the age of 20).

[Dallas-Dakota]

Agreed.
Computer Geek, Car geek, Fashion Geek (sex and the city will never be the same if you start thinking of them that way)...

Also I think Geeks are becoming more and more accepted because more and more of the "geeky" hobbies have become mainstream. And more girl-accepted. One example is computer / console gaming, where the divide nowadays is pretty exactly 50-50 between girls and boys (under the age of 20).
And because gaming is more accepted and just more 'done'.

Oh no's, I iz becoming mainstraim...but I already was a gamer...

Oh no's, in Sovjet Russia, mainstream becomes you!

:smallconfused::smalltongue::smallbiggrin:

[Gray Jester]

I think many of the posters have hit the goblin on the head.

Geek is any sort of specialist, usually the recreational sort. Common popular things include video games, DnD, computers, etc. Note that 'recreational' does not mean 'noncommittal', as your average geek can get -very- into their thing(s).

Nerds are specifically scholastic specialists: they do well in school, attempt to please the teacher, and are usually lacking social skills.

There is some overlap, of course. I am friends with some geeks who are nerds, but I am also friends with some geeks who are not nerds.

It's also important to note that geeks are socially acceptable, whereas nerds are less so, in modern high school culture. It's also important to note that both do have the stereotype of stunted social skills, but that has declined for geeks due to the popularization of socially skilled ones by the media, among other things. (Example: Iron Man. Lead character was such a hardware geek. See also: Wheezer's video Pork and Beans.)

I consider myself a geek, albeit one who breaks some of the stereotypes. I do not consider myself a nerd, mainly because I've reached the point of just not caring about the teachers/class, only about the knowledge. (At one point in the past, though, this was not the case. :P)

I also realize I wrote that like a science report. "Genus: Geekus. Species examples: Animeus, Latinus, ScienceFictionus, etc." *facepalms*

[Thufir]

I generally consider them to be synonymous. Which one uses is more a matter of preference.

[Jorkens]

Something I find quite interesting is the cool / geeky interface - like people who are so geeky they become cool again. Or people who are geeky about apparently cool subjects - there are a lot of dance music geeks around, for instance, who keep track of dozens of record labels and subgenres and artist aliases and tunes. I even know a few people who I'd describe as fashion / style geeks.

Scratch DJs all seem to be at least part geek, since to be any good they have to spend hours practicing techniques and days trawling round second hand vinyl shops trying to pick up the super obscure funk tune that just happens to have a 2 second piece of drumming or horns that they want to use. Which is kind of odd given that in some ways they're super cool.

[Avilan the Grey]

I think many of the posters have hit the goblin on the head.

Geek is any sort of specialist, usually the recreational sort. Common popular things include video games, DnD, computers, etc. Note that 'recreational' does not mean 'noncommittal', as your average geek can get -very- into their thing(s).

I think that is actually mandatory for being a Geek. You have to be very committed to be geeky, and to be a true <insert interest here> Geek you have to borderline over-committed.
(Like me and my cRPGs)

A nerd is, I suspect, what the "absentminded professor" was before he graduated.

[toasty]

I'm a geek. I play RPGs, read fantasy novels, play video games.

My friend Brian is both a nerd and a geek. he does all of the above AND he gets amazing grades.

In my mind a geek is someone who has far to much knoweldge about a subject (music geek, rpg geek) while a nerd is just... smart...

Dorks = social losers. The big tall stupid guy who smiles a lot is a dork.

[Avilan the Grey]

Dorks = social losers. The big tall stupid guy who smiles a lot is a dork.

Yeah. the Dork has no social skills but also lacks the intelligence of the Nerd and the fanatical interest of the Geek.

[valadil]

Differentiating between nerds, geeks, and dorks is a decidedly geeky activity.

[evisiron]

I think it may be regional.

Around here:
Geeks:
-Can build their own computer
-Are great at maths and education stuff(usually)
-Are Star Trek fans

Nerds:
-Play RPGs, LARP etc
-Play tabletop games
-Are Star Wars fans

Although across the board to be more broad we just say "Gamers". :smallsmile:

[bosssmiley]

There is nothing that is nerdier or geekier than arguing about the distinction between nerds and geeks.

Oh yes there is: arguing if the Balrog had wings.
arguing over which Star Trek captain was best.
arguing over canon 'ships. (feels soiled by the very phrase)
talking about mathematics in Random Banter
alt.kibology
Vs threads.
trainspotting.
adding to this list. :smallwink:

[Dallas-Dakota]

Yeah. the Dork has no social skills but also lacks the intelligence of the Nerd and the fanatical interest of the Geek.
Indeed.



WHAT? I'm not Mr. Tuvok!:smalltongue:

[Lemur]

Hmmm...

Geeks (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzTysqw6_P8)

Nerds (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xEzGIuY7kw)

I'm not sure that helped. Anyone got anything else?



Oh yes there is: arguing if the Balrog had wings.
arguing over which Star Trek captain was best.
arguing over canon 'ships. (feels soiled by the very phrase)
talking about mathematics in Random Banter
alt.kibology
Vs threads.
trainspotting.
adding to this list. :smallwink:

Fun times: Walk up to a group of geeks/nerds (whichever word you think is correct :P ) and say "Midichlorians!".

Watch the ensuing chaos.

[Kiero]

Nerds (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xEzGIuY7kw)

The bit with the Segway is hilarious, gets me every time.

[Don Julio Anejo]

I would like to point out that you can do all of the nerdy/geeky things and not be a nerd/geek. As long as you don't try to insert them into everyday conversation with everyone you talk to. And also if you don't treat what you do like a way of life.

PS: in almost every high school at least a third of the most popular girls (doesn't work for guys though) will also be among the ones getting the best marks.

[Lerky]

I've always wondered, whats the difference between nerds and geeks. Is there one? Is one more professional then the other? Lets find out what the playground thinks!



(That was the wierdest last sentence I've ever writen, don't balme me I just couldn't think of a better one...)

I personally think the difference between Nerds and Geeks is that geeks are into role-playing and video games and D&D and stuff while a Nerd is into math and science and studying and stuff. A nerd can however be into a geek things and still be called a Nerd but the vice versa is not true.

[Grogah]

I've always heard it this way:

Both nerds and geeks are driven obsessively to memorize details, facts, figures, etc, about some topic. The difference is geeks tend to do it about science, engineering, etc, and thus have useful employable knowledge.

Nerds tend to do it about comic books and other pointless topics.

[Dragor]

Since 'geek' and 'nerd' are USA terms, they have slightly different connotations (at least, in my area) in the UK. For example, a 'geek' is considered to be someone with fairly fringe- but not totally out there- interests, and still being quite socially adept and, as one of my friends put it, 'geek chic'. The Doctor from Doctor Who is geek chic because not only is he incredibly clever but he's damn cool.

Nerds are the same as geeks in everything but popularity. Also, their interests are much further out there than, say, computer games. Maybe an astrologist or something. Chess champion. You know the sort of thing. While a geek is adaptable to different groups, nerds simply can't adapt and can (and will) talk about their topic of choice in a group totally alien to them.

A dork is someone who just can't fit in. He as flurries of interests like the geeks and nerds, hoping to be accepted into this minority, but is never truly 'part of it'. It may not be his knowledge or 'devotion to the cause' so to speak, but simply his attitude.

Well, that's how I see it. *flees* :smalltongue:

[Atomsized]

Hmmmmm....I myself (opinion) don't really see a difference between the two.

The only difference I see is that geek is more fun to say than nerd. Geeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek.

Right? :smalltongue:

[Matticus]

There isn't a difference. They're just labels. Even if you were to define what one meant universally, there'd be nobody who fit all the requirements.

[toasty]

Oh yes there is: arguing if the Balrog had wings.
arguing over which Star Trek captain was best.
arguing over canon 'ships. (feels soiled by the very phrase)
talking about mathematics in Random Banter
alt.kibology
Vs threads.
trainspotting.
adding to this list. :smallwink:

In a battle, who would win, ninjas or pirates?

:D

Seriously, there are some geekier things. Though the balrog with or without wings is a pretty geeky thing to do...

[Dallas-Dakota]

Since 'geek' and 'nerd' are USA terms, they have slightly different connotations (at least, in my area) in the UK. For example, a 'geek' is considered to be someone with fairly fringe- but not totally out there- interests, and still being quite socially adept and, as one of my friends put it, 'geek chic'. The Doctor from Doctor Who is geek chic because not only is he incredibly clever but he's damn cool.

Nerds are the same as geeks in everything but popularity. Also, their interests are much further out there than, say, computer games. Maybe an astrologist or something. Chess champion. You know the sort of thing. While a geek is adaptable to different groups, nerds simply can't adapt and can (and will) talk about their topic of choice in a group totally alien to them.

A dork is someone who just can't fit in. He as flurries of interests like the geeks and nerds, hoping to be accepted into this minority, but is never truly 'part of it'. It may not be his knowledge or 'devotion to the cause' so to speak, but simply his attitude.

Well, that's how I see it. *flees* :smalltongue:
Indeed.

And I'm totally a geek here with this description, not a nerd or dork.

Yay for being geeky!

Geeky! Even better then geek! Just say it! Say it!

Also, the balrog had proper wings, but they were ruined at Morgoth's defeat.

[OverdrivePrime]

My friends and I have been in agreement on this one for quite some time, and it's quite simple, really. Geeks get chicks. :smallcool:

(Or dudes, as the case may be!)



Do note that geeky girls - if they can get over their confidence issues and middle school baggage - can generally have their pick of any male they know.

[Lupy]

I always thought of nerds as being more artsy and geeks as being more technical. Dunno.

[Overlord Nicy]

Nerds will be more educationally focused.
Geeks are intensely hobby-focused.

I picture nerds more social, but lacking in the social skills. Geeks are less social, but have more social skills.

[Don Julio Anejo]

Do note that geeky girls - if they can get over their confidence issues and middle school baggage - can generally have their pick of any male they know.
It's true for any decent-looking girl that has confidence issues and middle-school baggage.

[OverdrivePrime]

It's true for any decent-looking girl that has confidence issues and middle-school baggage.

Point: Don Julio

[OOTS_Echoes]

Nerds are cool. Geeks aren't.
Nerds have hobbies. Geeks have acne.
Nerds are lazy. Geeks get stuff done.
Nerds play video games. Geeks play in band.
Nerds have a social life. Geeks hang out with other geeks in math club.

[All of the above are an opinion. Apologies to any who have been offended by this post]

[Lemur]

Nerds are cool. Geeks aren't.
Nerds have hobbies. Geeks have acne.
Nerds are lazy. Geeks get stuff done.
Nerds play video games. Geeks play in band.
Nerds have a social life. Geeks hang out with other geeks in math club.

[All of the above are an opinion. Apologies to any who have been offended by this post]

It's not really an opinion so much as how you define the words in your personal lexicon. Which is what this thread is about, so carry on.

Well, the thread may originally have hoped to come to a consensus on how exactly to define the terms, but that seems unlikely, to say the least.

[OverdrivePrime]

Nerds are cool. Geeks aren't.
Nerds have hobbies. Geeks have acne.
Nerds are lazy. Geeks get stuff done.
Nerds play video games. Geeks play in band.
Nerds have a social life. Geeks hang out with other geeks in math club.

[All of the above are an opinion. Apologies to any who have been offended by this post]

I'm pretty sure you have your labels switched around. :smalltongue:

[Jalor]

Geeks have a strong focus in any non-mainstream form of entertainment. Nerds are academic geeks. Dorks are any socially inept person.

[Setra]

I think it may be regional.

Around here:
Geeks:
-Can build their own computer
-Are great at maths and education stuff(usually)
-Are Star Trek fans

Nerds:
-Play RPGs, LARP etc
-Play tabletop games
-Are Star Wars fans

Although across the board to be more broad we just say "Gamers". :smallsmile:
What if I am playing RPGs on a computer I built myself, do good in math, like tabletop games... and like both Trek AND Wars?

[OOTS_Echoes]

What if I am playing RPGs on a computer I built myself, do good in math, like tabletop games... and like both Trek AND Wars?

Nobody likes Trek and Wars!
You take that back!

lol

[Lupy]

What if I am playing RPGs on a computer I built myself, do good in math, like tabletop games... and like both Trek AND Wars?

BLASPHEMY!!!! *has spaz attack*

...

Sorry.

[Dragonrider]

...yet more proof that the RB time loop has expanded to include all of FB. :smallbiggrin:

....and it's hard to get nerdier than that. :smallamused:

[Lupy]

...yet more proof that the RB time loop has expanded to include all of FB. :smallbiggrin:

....and it's hard to get nerdier than that. :smallamused:

You are my hero.

[Dragonrider]

You are my hero.

:smallbiggrin: Yay! I'm a hero! :smallamused:


Edit: was going to break into song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yGeroywBuo), but perhaps that would be inappropriate....:smalltongue:

[Moff Chumley]

So, based on the above, if you sit in front of mixers making random feedback noises for hours and are able to cite your main influences in doing so, are you a geek, nerd, or dork?

[Cleverdan22]

My belief is a standard one among geeks and nerds.
Nerds are people who are really into math, and good at schoolwork and science and whatnot.

Geeks are people who like fantasy, video games, and sci-fi stuff.

Also, dorks are social misfits who don't really have many friends. Like there's a circle of nerds, a circle of geeks, but the dorks don't hang out with each other.

FYI, I'm a geek.

[Lerky]

Nobody likes Trek and Wars!
You take that back!

lol

I love trek and wars! *vicious claw attack*except for DS9 and ENT. That's a load of crap right there my friend...