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Geek

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File:Simp frink.png
Professor Frink from The Simpsons, a stereotypical science geek.
File:Stevewozniak.jpg
Steve Wozniak, an atypically successful electrical engineering and computer geek

A geek is a person who is fascinated, perhaps obsessively, by obscure or very specific areas of knowledge and imagination. Geek may not always have the same meaning as the term nerd (see nerd for a discussion of the disputed relation between the terms).

The definition of geek has changed considerably over the years. Below are some definitions of the word "geek", in order from newer to oldest. All are still in use.

  • A person with an encyclopaedic knowledge of random trivia especially those bordering on the highly obscure. Trivia geeks are often also known as ubergeeks.
  • G.E.E.K. as an acronym came from the United States Military. It stands for General Electrical Engineering Knowledge. It is unclear if this was the origin of the current meaning for geek, or if the acronym was used in a joking way toward the pre-established meaning for geek (a backronym).
  • A physically weak, often sickly person who exists in order to be mistreated for the entertainment of others; a bully target. The popular song Pencil-Neck Geek exemplifies this use of the term.
  • A person who swallows live animals, bugs, etc., as a form of entertainment at fairs etc. This often included biting the heads off of chickens. The Geek would usually perform in a "geek pit." This probably comes from the Scottish geck, meaning 'fool', in turn from Low German. 19th century

This definition is now mostly used to define a nerd, not a geek

  • A derogatory term for one with low social skills, often with average intelligence, as opposed to nerds, who are generally viewed as having low social skills but high intelligence. Late 20th century

In an exhibitionist social experiment, Dr. Simon Ronald, a computer geek from Adelaide, Australia set out to determine public reaction to the term "geek." He arranged white teeshirts with GEEK printed on one and CODER1 printed on another. These are observations from lunchtime walks through the busy streets of Adelaide over a six month period. "CODER1 raises a few eyebrows, but GEEK is a reliable headturner. Pedestrians breaking out into smiles as well as spontaneous sniggering and finger pointing. Strongest reaction is pity from the blue collar demographic where perhaps the word geek is associated more with vulgar social connotations. When quizzed about geek, people quipped: 'awkward', 'nerdy', 'space cadet', and 'socially incompetent'. Some said, 'Hey I like your t-shirt', but those tended to be tech types as well.

Geek has always had negative connotations in general colloquial usage, where being described as a geek tends to be an insult. The term has recently become less condescending, or even a badge of honor, within particular fields, subcultures and frames of mind; this is particularly evident in the technical disciplines, where the term is now more of a compliment denoting extraordinary skill. This may have in part been caused by the popularity of the Dilbert comic strip, though in the larger society, the geek classification is still a negative one.

A geek can be so absorbed in her imagination that she exhibits the geeky 'lost-in-space' gaze, and may appear to be unresponsive due to her absorption in other thoughts or pursuits. The level of concentration and focus may feature at the expense of cultural plumage. Geeks are often considered technological monks - too busy working within their intellectual domain to do menial chores or worry about current trends.

"Geeks are their own society: a literate, hyperinformed underground" (What is a geek?)

Hackers tend to mostly be geeks, although the converse may not be true. (What is a hacker?)

The most popular Urban Dictionary definition for geek is acute in mirroring the general social acceptance for geeks - Geek, n. Someone who you beat up in high school, and end up working for in later life. To quote one character from the popular television show Stargate Atlantis, "This is some sort of pay-back for guys like me beating up guys like you in high school, right?"

See also

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