Nerd: Difference between revisions
Content deleted Content added
m Reverting possible vandalism by Whiteknight666 to version by CalmCalamity. False positive? Report it. Thanks, ClueBot. (798078) (Bot) |
←Blanked the page |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{pp-semi|small=yes}} |
|||
{{otheruses}}{{wiktionarypar|nerd}} |
|||
'''Nerd''' is a term often bearing a derogatory connotation or [[stereotype]], that refers to a person who passionately pursues [[intellectual]] activities, [[esoteric]] knowledge, or other obscure interests that are age inappropriate rather than engaging in more [[Social relation|social]] or popular activities. Therefore, a nerd is often excluded from physical activity and considered a [[loner]] by peers, or will tend to associate with like-minded people. |
|||
== Etymology == |
|||
The first documented appearance of the word "nerd" is as the name of a creature in [[Dr. Seuss|Dr. Seuss's]] book ''[[If I Ran the Zoo]]'' (1950), in which the narrator Gerald McGrew claims that he would collect "a Nerkle, a Nerd, and a Seersucker too" for his imaginary zoo.<ref name="English Language 1212">American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Third Edition, p. 1212, Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston - New York - London, 1992</ref><ref>[[Dr. Seuss|Geisel, Theodor Seuss]], ''[[If I Ran the Zoo]]'', p. 47, Random House Books for Young Readers, New York, 1950</ref> The [[slang]] meaning of the term dates back to 1951, when ''[[Newsweek]]'' magazine reported on its popular use as a synonym for "[[wikt:drip#Noun|drip]];" or "[[square (slang)|square]]" in [[Detroit, Michigan|Detroit]], [[Michigan]].<ref>''[[Newsweek]]'' (1951-10-8), p. 16</ref> By the early 1960s, usage of the term had spread throughout the United States and even as far as Scotland.<ref>Gregory J. Marsh in Special Collections at the [[Swarthmore College]] library as reported in [http://www3.iath.virginia.edu/lists_archive/Humanist/v04/0074.html Humanist Discussion Group] (1990-6-28) Vol. 4, No. 0235.</ref><ref>Glasgow, Scotland, ''Sunday Mail'' (1957-2-10)</ref> At some point, the word took on connotations of bookishness and [[Social ineptitude#Social ineptitude|social ineptitude]].<ref name="English Language 1212"/> |
|||
An alternate spelling, as ''nurd'', also began to appear in the mid-1960s or early '70s.<ref>''Current Slang: A Quarterly Glossary of Slang Expressions Currently In Use'' (1971), Vol. V, No. 4, Spring 1971, p. 17 </ref> Author [[Philip K. Dick]] claimed to have coined this spelling in 1973, but its first recorded use appeared in a 1965 student publication at [[Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute]].<ref>Personal Correspondence (1973-9-4) reported on [http://www.eldacur.com/~brons/NerdCorner/NerdMail.html#PKDick the web]</ref><ref>RPI ''Bachelor'' (1965), V14 #1</ref> [[Oral tradition]] there holds that the word is derived from "knurd" ("[[drunk]]" spelled backwards), which was used to describe people who studied rather than partied. On the other hand, the variant "gnurd" was in wide use at the [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]] throughout the first half of the 1970s. |
|||
Other theories of the word's origin suggest that it may derive from [[Mortimer Snerd]], [[Edgar Bergen|Edgar Bergen's]] ventriloquist dummy, or the [[Northern Electric Research and Development]] labs in [[Ontario]] (now [[Nortel]]). The [[Online Etymology Dictionary]] speculates that the word is an alteration of the 1940s term ''nert'' (meaning "stupid or crazy person"), which is itself an alteration of "[[wikt:nut|nut]]."<ref>{{OEtymD|nerd}}</ref> |
|||
The term was popularized in the 1970s by its heavy use in the [[sitcom]] ''[[Happy Days]]''. |
|||
==Characteristics== |
|||
The stereotypical nerd is intelligent but socially and physically awkward.<ref>[http://www.udel.edu/bkirby/asperger/putnampaper.html Kids Called Nerds: Challenge and Hope For Children With Mild Pervasive Developmental Disorders], by Nicholas Putnam, M.D.</ref> In film and television depictions, nerds are disproportionately [[white male]]s with very large [[glasses]], [[dental braces|braces]], severe [[acne]] and pants highly lifted up.<ref>Lori Kendall. "OH NO! I'M A NERD!": Hegemonic Masculinity on an Online Forum. ''Gender Society''. '''14''':256. (2000)</ref><ref>Ron Eglash. Race, Sex, and Nerds. ''Social Text''. '''20:''' 49 (2002) </ref> It has been suggested by some, such as linguist [[Mary Bucholtz]], that being a nerd may be a state of being "hyperwhite" and rejecting [[African-American culture]] and [[African American Vernacular English|slang]] that "cool" white children use.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/29/magazine/29wwln-idealab-t.html?_r=1&ref=magazine&oref=slogin|title= Who’s a Nerd, Anyway? |accessdate=2007-07-28 |author=Benjamin Nugent|date=July 29, 2007|work=New York Times Magazine}}</ref> However, after the introduction of the [[Steve Urkel]] character on the television series ''[[Family Matters]]'', nerds have been seen in all races and colors as well as more recently being a frequent young Asian male stereotype in North America. Portrayal of [[nerd girl]]s in films such as ''[[She's Out of Control]]'', ''[[Welcome to the Dollhouse]]'' and ''[[She's All That]]'' depicts that smart but nerdy women might suffer later in life if they do not focus on improving their physical attractiveness.<ref>{{cite book|last=Gateward|first=Frances K.|coauthors=Murray Pomerance|title=Sugar, spice, and everything nice:cinemas of girlhood|publisher=Wayne State University Press|date=2002|isbn=9780814329184|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=ywsajx7jqAMC&pg=PA239&dq=nerd+girl|accessdate=2009-07-23}}</ref> |
|||
They typically appear either to lack confidence or to be indifferent or oblivious to the negative perceptions held of them by others, with the result that they become frequent objects of scorn, ridicule, [[bullying]], and [[social isolation]]. Some nerds show a pronounced interest in subjects which others tend to find dull or complex and difficult to comprehend, or overly mature for their age, especially topics related to [[science]], [[mathematics]] and [[technology]]. On the opposite end of the spectrum, nerds may show an interest in activities that are viewed by their peers as immature for their age, such as trading cards, comic books, [[television program]]s, [[movie]]s, [[role-playing game]]s, [[video game]]s and other things relating to [[fantasy]] and [[science fiction]]. Nerds are often portrayed as unfit and either [[obese]] or very thin. Nerds are also sometimes portrayed as having symptoms of [[obsessive-compulsive disorder]] such as by showing extreme interest in rules. Comparisons to [[Asperger syndrome]] are common, due to the tendency to engage in intense, specific interests and to experience difficulty in social situations.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.salon.com/books/int/2008/05/20/American_nerd/|title= The beauty of the geek |accessdate=2009-09-03 |author=Eryn Loeb|date=May 20, 2008|work=Salon}}</ref> |
|||
Stereotypical nerd qualities have evolved in recent years, from awkwardness and social ostracism to a more widespread acceptance and sometimes even celebration of their abilities. This is largely attributable to the rise of the [[computer]] industry, which has allowed many "nerdy" people (most notably [[Bill Gates]]) to accumulate large fortunes and other measures of social prestige. Some measure of nerdiness is widely considered desirable, because it suggests a person who is intelligent, respectful, interesting, and able to earn a large salary. This evolution has dovetailed with waning emphasis on the social awkwardness of nerds, with more attention placed on their intelligence and academic enthusiasm. |
|||
==Nerd pride== |
|||
In the 1984 film ''[[Revenge of the Nerds]]'', starring [[Robert Carradine]] and [[Anthony Edwards]], Carradine in particular worked to embody the nerd stereotype and, in doing so, helped create a definitive image.<ref>{{Citation | last = Singer | first = Jon | title = Carradine hits the jackpot as Lewis Skolnick | magazine = Lumino | date = 2005-08-28 | url = http://www.luminomagazine.com/mw/content/view/341/10/ }}</ref> Additionally, the storyline presaged, and may have helped inspire, the "nerd pride" that emerged in the 1990s. ''[[American Splendor]]'' regular [[Toby Radloff]] claims this was the movie that inspired him to become "The Genuine Nerd from [[Cleveland, Ohio]]."<ref>{{Citation | last = Hensley | first = Dennis | author-link = http://www.dennishensley.com | title = Revenge of the nerd: American Splendor's Toby Radloff is out and proud about his sexuality and his nerddom | magazine = The Advocate |date=2003-09-02 | url = http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1589/is_2003_Sept_2/ai_110737685 | format = {{Dead link|date=May 2009}}}}</ref> In the ''American Splendor'' film, Toby's friend, ''American Splendor'' author [[Harvey Pekar]], was less receptive to the movie, believing it to be hopelessly idealistic. Many seem to share Radloff's view, as "nerd pride" has become more widespread in the years since. [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology|MIT]] professor [[Gerald Sussman]], for example, seeks to instill pride in nerds: |
|||
{{cquote|My idea is to present an image to children that it is good to be intellectual, and not to care about the peer pressures to be anti-intellectual. I want every child to turn into a nerd - where that means someone who prefers studying and learning to competing for social dominance, which can unfortunately cause the downward spiral into social rejection. |
|||
:: — Gerald Sussman, quoted by Katie Hafner, ''[[The New York Times]]'', [[29 August]] [[1993]]}} |
|||
The popular computer-news website [[Slashdot]] uses the [[tagline]] "News for nerds. Stuff that matters." The Charles J. Sykes quote "Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one" has been popularized on the Internet and incorrectly attributed to [[Bill Gates]].<ref>{{Citation | last = Mikkelson | first = Barbara | last2 = Mikkelson | first2 = David P. | title = Some Rules Kids Won't Learn in School | year = 2000 | url = http://www.snopes.com/language/document/liferule.asp | accessdate = 2007-07-22 }}</ref> In [[Spain]], [[Nerd Pride Day]] has been observed on [[May 25]] since 2006.{{Fact|date=September 2007}} |
|||
An episode from the animated series ''[[Freakazoid]]'', titled "Nerdator", includes the use of nerds to power the mind of a [[Predator (alien)|Predator]]-like enemy, who delivers a memorable monologue on the importance of nerds:{{Fact|date=May 2007}} |
|||
{{cquote|...what they lack in physical strength they make up in brain power. Who writes all the best selling books? Nerds. Who directs the top grossing [[Hollywood]] movies? Nerds. Who creates the highly advanced technology that only they can understand? ...Nerds. And who are the people who run for the high office of the Presidency? No one but nerds.''{{Fact|date=November 2007}}}} |
|||
The Danish reality TV show [[FC Zulu]], known in the internationally franchised format as [[FC Nerds]], established a format wherein a team of nerds, after two or three months of training, competes with a professional [[football (soccer)|soccer]] team. |
|||
[[Nerdcore hip hop]] is a genre of [[hip hop music]] that has risen in popularity over the last few years, often expressing nerd themes with pride and humor. Notable artists include [[mc chris]], [[MC Plus+]], [[MC Hawking]], [[MC Lars]], and [[MC Frontalot]]. The term ''nerdcore'' has seen wider application to refer to [[webcomics]] (most notably ''[[Penny Arcade (webcomic)|Penny Arcade]]'', ''[[User Friendly]]'', ''[[PvP]]'', and ''[[Megatokyo]]'') and other media that express nerd themes without inhibition.{{Fact|date=May 2007}} |
|||
Although the idea of nerds is popular, those adopting the characteristics of nerds are not actually nerds by definition. One cannot be an authentic nerd by imitation alone; a nerd is an outsider and someone who is unable or unwilling to follow trends. Popular culture is borrowing the concept and image of nerds in order to stand out as individuals. <ref>[http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/chi-nerds-0603jun03,0,6360380.story Chicago Tribune]</ref> |
|||
==See also== |
|||
* [[Anorak (slang)]] |
|||
* [[Boffin]] |
|||
* [[Geek]] |
|||
* [[Otaku]] |
|||
* [[Pedant]] |
|||
* [[White & Nerdy]] |
|||
==References== |
|||
{{reflist}} |
|||
==Further reading== |
|||
* [[Mary Bucholtz|Bucholtz, Mary]]. ""Why be normal?": Language and identity practices in a community of nerd girls." ''Language in Society'' (1999), 28: 203-223. Cambridge University Press. |
|||
* Frayling, Christopher. ''Mad, Bad And Dangerous?: The Scientist and the Cinema''. Reaktion Books, 2005. |
|||
* [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0820887/ ''Genuine Nerd'' (2006)] - Feature-length documentary on Toby Radloff. |
|||
* Kendall, Lori. "'The Nerd Within': Mass Media and the Negotiation of Identity Among Computer-Using Men." ''[[The Journal of Men's Studies]]'', 7(3) (1999): 353-69. |
|||
* Kendall, Lori. "Nerd Nation: Images of Nerds in U.S. Popular Culture." ''International Journal of Cultural Studies'', Vol. 2, No. 2, 260-283 (1999) |
|||
* Kendall, Lori. "'Oh No! I'm a Nerd!': Hegemonic Masculinity on an Online Forum." ''Gender & Society'', 14 (2) (2000): 256-274. |
|||
* Nugent, Benjamin. ''American Nerd: The Story of My People''. 2008. ISBN 978-0743288019 |
|||
* Newitz, A. & Anders, C. (Eds) ''She's Such a Geek: Women Write About Science, Technology, and Other Nerdy Stuff''. Seal Press, 2006. |
|||
* Okada, Toshio. ''Otaku Gaku Nyumon'' (Translated: 'Introduction to [[w:Otaku|Otaku]]ology'). Ohta Verlag. Tokyo, 1996. |
|||
== External links == |
|||
<!-- Wikipedians: because of recent spam-links (a form of Wikipedia vandalism), please discuss external links on the talk page first. Thanks. --> |
|||
* "[http://geekstudies.org/papers/mit5-presentation-notes.pdf The Well-Dressed Geek: Media Appropriation and Subcultural Style]" (Paper by Jason Tocci presented at the MIT5 conference. PDF, 180kb). |
|||
* [http://web.mit.edu/comm-forum/mit5/index.html Media in Transition 5<!-- Bot generated title -->] |
|||
* [http://www.paulgraham.com/nerds.html "Why Nerds are Unpopular"], an essay by [[Paul Graham]] about the conformist society in American high schools. |
|||
* [http://www.americanscientist.org/issues/pub/2000/5/the-nerds-have-won "The Nerds Have Won"], an article by Brian Hayes in ''[[American Scientist]],'' September-October 2000. |
|||
[[Category:Stereotypes]] |
|||
[[Category:Slang expressions]] |
|||
[[Category:Anti-intellectualism]] |
|||
[[Category:Stock characters]] |
|||
[[Category:Academic culture]] |
|||
[[Category:Computing culture]] |
|||
[[Category:Internet culture]] |
|||
[[Category:Pejorative terms for people]] |
|||
[[Category:Reclaimed words]] |
|||
[[ar:نيرد]] |
|||
[[bg:Нърд]] |
|||
[[ca:Nerd]] |
|||
[[cs:Nerd]] |
|||
[[da:Nørd]] |
|||
[[de:Nerd]] |
|||
[[es:Nerd]] |
|||
[[fr:Nerd]] |
|||
[[is:Nörd]] |
|||
[[it:Nerd]] |
|||
[[he:חנון]] |
|||
[[nl:Nerd]] |
|||
[[ja:ナード]] |
|||
[[no:Nerd]] |
|||
[[nn:Nerd]] |
|||
[[pl:Nerd]] |
|||
[[pt:Nerd]] |
|||
[[ru:Нерд]] |
|||
[[fi:Nörtti]] |
|||
[[sv:Nörd]] |
|||
[[th:เนิร์ด]] |
|||
[[uk:Нерд]] |
|||
[[zh:Nerd]] |
|||