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I gotta gatekeep this. When did nerd and geek switch places? Since the 90s, geeks and nerds are two totally different things. Geek: a person who is knowledgeab
by ROTMetro 4y ago
I gotta gatekeep this. When did nerd and geek switch places? Since the 90s, geeks and nerds are two totally different things.
Geek: a person who is knowledgeable about and obsessively interested in a particular subject, especially one that is technical or of specialist or niche interest.
"a computer geek"
I'm a proud geek, but after bullying as a kid calling me a nerd is fighting words. A geek nowadays socially ranks above the people that tried to stand above others by calling them nerds, turning labels into strength.
- detaro 4y agoI was always told that if you can define the difference you're probably both.
- daveslash 4y agoLooks like maybe you got some downvotes - but not from me. Geek & Nerd can be sensitive labels for the likes of folk who hang out here on HN. I wasn't trying to start a flame-war. But I'm happy to discuss it further. Speaking for myself (and myself only), I'm proud of both labels and more-or-less treat them as interchangeable in regards to usage by the general public. Though, I have my-own thoughts on the differences. I take neither as an insult or fighting-word unless, of course, it's obviously being hurled as one, in which case it's not the word, per-se, it's the antagonist as a whole...
- userbinator 4y agoWhen I hear "geek" all I think of now is Geek Squad, i.e. IT.