What exactly is a "nerd"?

Question

And how is it different from a "dork" and a "geek"?

By the way, I was born and brought up in the UK, and I was a kid in the '80s.

Answer 1

Another feather in 'Feathery's cap!

Answer 2

"Dork" is the overhanging term. Nerd and geek are subclasses. It is possible to be a nerd without being a dork, although it is difficult, but next to impossible for geeks not to be dorks.

"Dorks" are those socially awkward people who almost always:
dress funny, laugh too loud/soft/at unfunny stuff, can't take hints, and *can* *not* get a boyfriend/girlfriend who is less socially awkward than they.

They often: carry on a slightly different conversation than the one you think you're having, (Me to friend across bus aisle: How are you? Random guy in the seat behind me: I'm fine.) act really desperate, and have bad personal hygeine.

Nerds are smart kids who act it. They almost always:
Make jokes about math or science, answer a lot of questions in class, do *something* academic for fun (usually programming, math problems, or research), are at the top of their class, and are Trekkies.

They often:
Are dorks, speak Klingon and/or Quenya, and can't seem to grasp that no-one likes hearing AP CS jokes.

Geeks are those guys who are addicted to every shoot-em-up and or porno video game out there. They almost always:
Are male, have acne, are pale as fish from never going out into the sunshine, are extremely good with computers- theirs no longer looks vaguely computer-ish from all the modifications to make it 1337 (leet- fast processing and good graphics.) will wear the same clothes many days in a row, and are dorks.

They often:
Are also into Anime, speak or want to speak Japanese, can hold a conversation about the fine points of ANY obscure video game, and will never, ever get a girlfriend.

The small species of "female geeks" are the same as the men except they wear the same baggy sweatshirt many days in a row, whether or not they change what's underneath it.

Answer 3

A nerd is typically a teenager who doesn't fit in with the other teenagers. He or she is usually the studious type and somewhat of an introvert. Terms change from generation to generation or sometimes even more frequently. Dork and geek are basically the same as nerd, just from a different generation of teenagers.

Answer 4

Dork was (is) used as a slang for a part of the male anatomy, depending on your generation. Geek is a typically highly intelligent person that does not do well with lower life forms. Jocks, etc. (Hehe, just kidding.)
Anyone can be a nerd, at any given time & if you are a parent, you have just entered nerd status, even if only sometimes. Just ask your teenager, hehe.

Answer 5

A nerd is someone who is academically proficient (especially in science, math, computers, etc.) but is somewhat lacking in social skills. A dork or geek lacks the same social skills, but does not necessarily share the nerd's academic or technical abilities. The term "geek" originally was a circus sideshow attraction, usually some poor soul who acted like a wild man, and performed acts like biting the heads off of live chickens.

Answer 6

Waaaay back in the 60's a nerd was an all-around super smart, intravert. He would have been the one with his pockets full of pens, and a slide rule (no calculators then). His glasses were taped at the nose. You would expect him to work in accounting, banking etc.

Ok a dork was one who was messy and stupid, a klutz, who sniffs bicycle seats. This definition always made me laugh, I have no idea where it comes from.

A geek originally was a side- show circus attraction who excelled in some sort of abnormal talent lie biting the head off a chicken. Nowadays it refers to someone supersmart in modern technology.

Answer 7

Nerd:
as a stereotypical or archetypal designation, refers to somebody who passionately pursues intellectual or esoteric knowledge or pastimes, rather than engaging in a social life, participating in organized sports, or other mainstream activities. The Merriam-Webster definition is an "unstylish, unattractive, or socially inept person; especially: one slavishly devoted to intellectual or academic pursuits."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nerd

Dork:
Dork is a term of abuse favored by American youngsters, designating the target as quirky, awkward, eccentric, socially inept or simply of lower status. At one time it was slang term for male genitalia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dork

Geek:
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines the word geek as "1: a carnival performer often billed as a wild man whose act usually includes biting the head off a live chicken or snake 2: a person often of an intellectual bent who is disliked 3: an enthusiast or expert especially in a technological field or activity," though these are only three of many definitions.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geek

Answer 8

A nerd is a smart dork. A Dork is a ugly person. And a Greek is a smart person. I think! :D

Answer 9

Nerd - a person regarded as dull, unsophisticated, ineffective, etc.

Dork - a person regarded as stupid, foolish, awkward, clumsy, etc.

Geek - any person considered to be different from others in a negative or bizarre way, as a teenager seen as being awkward, tall and gangling, stupid or antisocial.

Answer 10

they mean the same thing except dork is someone who is clumsy