This weekend, I received a comment to a geek entry I believed was quite dead:

You’ve got Geek and Nerd somewhat backwards: The etymology of “geek” traces back to a term used to describe circus freaks. A geek is socially peculiar and eccentric, someone who does not fit the norm. Richard is a VERY stereotypical example of a geek. Geeks aren’t necessarilly socially inept, but usually have some traits that keep them from being completely accepted. Borderline geeks may be successful at hiding their geekiness and appearing normal. Geeks also tend to know lots of random and useless knowledge. Geeks are not always geniuses, but usually have above-average intelligence. I’d say all the characters on the show were more geek than nerd. A nerd is someone who has a very acute intelligence in one area, but is underdeveloped everywhere else. Nerds focus so intently that sometimes they’re oblivious to everything going on around them. Some are anti-social, and do not care that they lack social skills.

Chuck was the only one of the contestants closest to being a nerd, although not all nerds are quite so arrogant. A geek will stand out (like Richard), but a nerd will often not even be noticed, because nerds don’t seem to have that much personality (like Chuck). However, many times, nerds are just extremely shy, and you see a completely different person if you break through their shell. Other differences are that geekiness is sometimes a lifestyle choice, where as most nerds seem to be born that way. Also, there seem to be more people who identify as geeks than nerds in this world, and that has led to the recognition of certain forms of geekiness as more socially acceptable. The forms of geekiness that are still ridiculed is becoming more and more marginalized, where as nerds are still generally not well understood or appreciated. If you walk into someone’s place and you see a whole bunch of Star Wars stuff, you’re going to be like, “Wow, that guy’s a geek,” but you may not run away screaming.

I geek, therefore I am.

Tags: geek, nerd, dork, spaz, dweeb, propeller head, geek out, terminal junkie, geek code, alpha geek