Difference between Nerd and Geek

Every high school has them, the jocks, the popular kids, the junkies, the nerds, and the geeks. These stereotypes emerged in the 1940s and 1950s and are still valid today. For some, being called a nerd or a geek is an insult; but others embrace that title with pride. As more people embrace their titles, more distinctions appear between the two terms. Today, many of the people who consider themselves geeks take offense at the title of nerd and vice versa.  Difference between Nerd and Geek

NERD AND GEEK ETYMOLOGY  Difference between Nerd and Geek

“Nerd” was first seen in 1950, as a nonsense word in Dr. Seuss’s book “If I Ran a Zoo.” Afterwards, it was used as a synonym for an urban social category for about ten years. He then became associated with social ineptitude and stupid fashions.

“Geek” originally comes from the medieval English word for “monster” and has similar roots in German and Dutch. It then began to be used in the United States and is often used to describe carnival performers. For a time, this term was also used to refer to nerds or nerds; but lately it has been given a more positive connotation.

DEFINITION OF NERD AND GEEK

“Nerd” today is used to refer to nerds. Obsessed with academic life, the esoteric, and all kinds of conventional social norms; like courtesy, hygiene …

“Geek” currently refers to someone who greatly enjoys everything about a particular area of ​​study, but these are unlike nerds; who mostly only interest in books, they also like computers, music, movies and video games.

IMAGE STEREOTYPES OF NERDS AND GEEKS

The image of the nerd or nerd was encoded by television in the 80s, in which nerds are shown as people with no criteria when it comes to dressing and who often wear poorly fitting clothes. Typically, they wear big glasses, braces, and bad haircuts. In addition, they live in close relationship with the academic world.

On the other hand, geeks today find themselves flaunting their entire “geek repertoire.” There is a huge market for T-shirts that perfectly suit these characters, with characteristic phrases such as “Hello, my name is Íñigo Montoya” and “Schradinger’s cat is dead.” Geeks often wear large framed glasses and jackets with elbow patches.

Key differences between geeks and nerds

1. While nerds are typical “book eaters,” geeks are considered smart; but a bit more “cool.”
2. Nerds are considered inept in social situations, while geeks can be very popular. The latter tend to interact with groups that share the same interests.
3. Mostly, nerds focus on science, while geeks can focus and specialize on any particular subject. 

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