Roxie Faye Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 [color=#9933CC]So, as someone who routinely thinks of herself as an anime nerd, and a school nerd, and as someone who uses "dork" affectionately, I was wondering what you think the connotation in all three words are. For me, a "dork" is generally less intelligent than either a geek or a nerd. I see a dork as someone who is socially awkward, and a little clumsy, but "cute" in a way. Between the other two, I can't really decide if a nerd or a geek is more intelligent, and what the difference is between them, really. Any opinions?[/color] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaiyanPrincessX Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 [SIZE="1"]Lol, odd question. Anyway, I don't think any of them are really degrading, I use the word 'dork' all the time. I constantly refer to myself as a dork, but its not a bad thing. :p I always thought of those kids from the movies with the pants way up to there belly botton, a pocket protector, and a the thick black glasses with the white tap in the center holding them together when I thought of a 'geek'. Lol.[/SIZE] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eleanor Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 [font=trebuchet ms] I've never used any of those words in a negative way, I usually say it with affection. To me a dork is someone who just says awkward things, and geek/nerd means someone randomly obsessed with some subject/academically talented kid. [/font] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chibi-master Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 [spoiler]Did you know that another defenition for "dork" is " penis"?[/spoiler] Yeah, I think of a dork as a socially akward person that has an adorable aspect to them. Geek...well, the stereotypical movie versions. Like the example mentioned earlier! Also, geek=nerd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nerdsy Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 [quote name='chibi-master'][spoiler]Did you know that another defenition for "dork" is "a whale's penis"?[/spoiler][/quote] [color=deeppink]That's not true. "Dork" doesn't mean "whale penis," it just means "penis." [/color] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chibi-master Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 [quote name='Nerdsy'][color=deeppink]That's not true. "Dork" doesn't mean "whale penis," it just means "penis." [/color][/QUOTE] Hrm...I see. In that case, I'll take your word for it and fix that mistake immediately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimeChaser Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 I definitely label myself as a geek,considering my knowledge/obsession with things like anime, Doctor Who, and music. My personal definition of "dork" is more along the lines of someone with a pretty low understanding of something. I tend to use it as a softer term for "idiot" or "moron". [quote name='chibi-master']Geek...well, the stereotypical movie versions. Like the example mentioned earlier! Also, geek=nerd.[/QUOTE] I wouldn't say that necessarily. A geek is someone who is totally obsessed with something (remember the old Beat the Geeks game show on Comedy Central?) I think of a nerd as someone who is obsessed, but who's obsession translates as knowledge of things that are actually useful, like computers, and not trivial geek fare. But maybe that's just me. :animesmil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darren Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 [quote name='Roxie Faye'][color=#9933CC]For me, a "dork" is generally less intelligent than either a geek or a nerd. I see a dork as someone who is socially awkward, and a little clumsy, but "cute" in a way. Between the other two, I can't really decide if a nerd or a geek is more intelligent, and what the difference is between them, really. Any opinions?[/color][/QUOTE] I agree with your definition, but I think of a nerd as someone who is intelligent in less traditional subjects. (EX: Anime/Manga, TV Trivia, Music, etc) And I think of a geek as someone who is extremely intelligent when it comes to math, science, english, etc... But really, I've never heard the words used negatively. I think it depends on the way people use them, I guess. But I'm proud to say that I'm all three of those. (At least by my definition) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roxie Faye Posted January 19, 2009 Author Share Posted January 19, 2009 [color=#9933CC]chibi-master: haha, yeah, that came up when I looked up the actual definitions. In that context, it reminds me of Australian slang, for some reason. (No offense to anyone Australian. It just *sounds* that way, to me.) Darren - You know, I think you're right. I would call myself an anime nerd, but when I talk with all my friends who are science majors, we say "science geeks." =)[/color] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chibi-master Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 [quote name='TimeChaser']I wouldn't say that necessarily. A geek is someone who is totally obsessed with something (remember the old Beat the Geeks game show on Comedy Central?) I think of a nerd as someone who is obsessed, but who's obsession translates as knowledge of things that are actually useful, like computers, and not trivial geek fare. But maybe that's just me. :animesmil[/QUOTE] Well, I didn't mean that that was he defenition right out of the dictionary. I just mean that it was what popped into my head at the mention of the word. Sorry if I caused you any confusion.:animeswea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimeChaser Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 [quote name='chibi-master']Well, I didn't mean that that was he defenition right out of the dictionary. I just mean that it was what popped into my head at the mention of the word. Sorry if I caused you any confusion.:animeswea[/QUOTE] It's OK, no confusion. :animesmil Everyone has their own definition. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skllngtn Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 Well to me "Dork" mean nothing else but a nickname. I dont really use it as a insult or anything.:animesmil:catgirl: I'd even say im a dork. :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frfry Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 My opinion. Dork i agree is a clumsy socially awkward person. I am a dork. I am also a geek which i believe is the one that refers to a intelligent knowledgeable person. Unfortunately personally i have found that being a geek means that you also have "no common sense" or so my family says. Nerd i think is the obsession of the object placed before it. For example i am a vampire loving, star trek watching, bad anime enjoying nerd. :animeshy: yeah i know i got problems. Oh well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ezekiel Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 [SIZE="1"]I'm with everyone else on 'dork'. My boyfriend calls me a dork all the time, after I do something spastic (again, all the time). I'm actually the opposite to [B]Darren[/B] in my immediate thoughts on a geek/nerd. To me, a [B]geek[/B] is someone obsessed with sci-fi/anime/video-games etc to an unhealthy level. Like, I enjoy a lot of things and have my obsessions, but I wouldn't bestow the honour upon myself of saying I'm a geek. To me, a geek is an EXPERT title. You have to sacrifice things like food and general hygiene or something to watch that Star Trek marathon. [B]Nerd[/B] is science/maths and other such intelligent, academic pursuits to do with numbers and equations. Again, applies when someone goes above and beyond the required knowledge in a subject. I honestly don't know if that's the official(??) definition for any of these things, it's just what springs to mind immediately. But someone could interchange geek/nerd and I would still know what they meant. Interestingly, Firefox objects to me typing 'geek' but not 'nerd'. HM. [/SIZE] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravenstorture Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 [color=darkgreen][font=garamond]In my 'culture', these terms seem to be used rather differently than anything I've read so far. 'Dork' is an affectionate rebuff that isn't used very often. A 'nerd' is someone who is enthusiastic about some subject of knowledge, usually maths/science/english/history/anything. The term 'nerd' is used usually by people who know absolutely nothing at all, as a jealous insult. In this case, it means 'someone who knows something I don't' (which is anything at all.) If it's only [U]technological[/u] knowledge/enthusiasm they possess, they are a geek. This term is a pretty high compliment. [/font][/color] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeathKnight Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 [quote name='chibi-master']Hrm...I see. In that case, I'll take your word for it and fix that mistake immediately.[/QUOTE] [color=crimson]Stop making mistakes about penises. That's a terrible path to start down. I love anime, maps, history, visual novels, and other things not too cool. Also, I do love corgis. Corgis. . . I'm not sure there is a correlation between dorkdom and loving Pembroke Welsh Corgis. If anything, that kind of adoration of an awesome dog breed should only improve your social standing with your peers. I don't consider myself socially awkward enough to be a stereotypical geek or nerd. The three terms have a negative connotation to me where either some kind of hobby associated with a particular subculture (anime), intellectual pursuits, or general awkwardness mixed with some of the above interferes with the "normality" of the person.[/color] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chibi-master Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 [quote name='DeathKnight'][color=crimson]Stop making mistakes about penises. That's a terrible path to start down.[/color][/QUOTE] Easier said than done, I'm sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sakurasuka Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 [FONT="Arial"][SIZE="1"] Geek and nerd should not be used interchangeably. A person's geekiness is directly related to how obsessed a person is or how much time a person spends on a particular hobby, generally something that has no particular relevance. A geek only obtains knowledge by sheer incident and familiarity with the subject due to his obsession. A nerd, however, is rated by the level of knowledge he posesses, not the time or obsession put into pursuit. For example, collecting every pokemon figurine would make you a geek. Knowing every pokemon's evolutionary tree and also knowing which levels they evolve at would make you a nerd. You can be both a geek and a nerd at the same time, and the terms could apply to the same subject. Just remember: Geekiness relates to the amount of time spent/level of obsession. Nerdiness relates to the amount of knowledge of the subject. [/SIZE][/FONT] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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