Sister, knock 'em dead gorgeous, but a dedicated intellectual and taking five Maths and Science A-Levels.
Would you describe her as a Geek or a Nerd, or do you need more information?
Sister, knock 'em dead gorgeous, but a dedicated intellectual and taking five Maths and Science A-Levels.
Would you describe her as a Geek or a Nerd, or do you need more information?
Sister, knock 'em dead gorgeous, but a dedicated intellectual and taking five Maths and Science A-Levels.
Would you describe her as a Geek or a Nerd, or do you need more information?
Neither. Physical appearance has no bearing on intelligence. I've never really agreed with either the Geek or Nerd classifications to begin with. If we are to push someone into a classification box like that, intelligence, or lack thereof, wouldn't be the deciding factor either. It would be more aligned with their social IQ than actual IQ.
Neither. Physical appearance has no bearing on intelligence. I've never really agreed with either the Geek or Nerd classifications to begin with.
I agree. Those categories have nothing whatsoever to do with the actual character, instead they reflect the prejudices of the character speaking at the moment (though you see them often in 1st-person stroke stories, where everything is told through the thoughts of the preoccupied nimrod who hasn't yet learned how to communicate with anyone else.
However, as a casual observations, it says a LOT about the mindset of a passing minor character, characterizing them with a throwaway one-liner so you—the author—don't have to waste time developing them.
But, generally, it's lazy writing, and you're unlikely to impress anyone taking shortcuts like that.
I'd say Brainiac more than Geek or Nerd, depending...Is she just super smart or does she act (whether acting or not) the part of the nerd/geek
Is she just super smart or does she act (whether acting or not) the part of the nerd/geek
She's a bookworm type rather than a social butterfly, although she has a close circle of similar friends.
Either is acceptable, imo. I hear both.
Let her decide.
*****
"You're so smart, Ashley."
"Yea, I'm kind of a math nerd."
Would you describe her as a Geek or a Nerd, or do you need more information?
None of the above. However, I would need more information to determine an alternative description.
need more information
"The words "nerd" and "geek" are often used interchangeably, as if they mean the same thing. They actually don't:
geek - An enthusiast of a particular topic or field. Geeks are "collection" oriented, gathering facts and mementos related to their subject of interest. They are obsessed with the newest, coolest, trendiest things that their subject has to offer.
nerd - A studious intellectual, although again of a particular topic or field. Nerds are "achievement" oriented, and focus their efforts on acquiring knowledge and skill over trivia and memorabilia."
nerd - A studious intellectual, although again of a particular topic or field. Nerds are "achievement" oriented, and focus their efforts on acquiring knowledge and skill over trivia and memorabilia."
That sounds like a winner to me.
nerd - A studious intellectual, although again of a particular topic or field.
That sounds like a winner to me.
More likely, they're so caught up in 'scoring points' that they're NOT as serious as those who are seriously interested in learning something for it's own sake. :(
Those are valid definitions. But there are also others:
geek - a peculiar person, especially one who is perceived to be overly intellectual, unfashionable, or socially awkward.
nerd - a person considered to be socially awkward, boring, unstylish, etc.
Geek is an OLD word. It used to be the term used for certain carnival side show performers. These were the guys who ate light bulbs or various disgusting things. They acted weird. These acts started going away in the 60s or thereabouts. The word changed meaning over time.
Geeks are strange, or have poor social skills. Nerds are focused on one aspect t of knowledge. Often, they are both.
My definitions:
Geeks entertain. Nerds engage.
To answer the OP, a person who studies in science and math shouldn't be automatically called a nerd. Some people enter those fields as simply a means not an end.
Nerds
"Nerds. One mini box of nerds contains 50 calories and 12 grams of sugar, which isn't surprising considering 93 percent of its weight comes from pure sugar. Like most other fruit flavored candies, these sugary bites are loaded with artificial flavors and coated in unnatural dyes."
"Nerds are an American candy owned by the Ferrara Candy Company. With their anthropomorphic covers, Nerds usually contain two flavors per box, and each flavor has a separate compartment and opening. Larger packages may contain various colors—sometimes referred to as "Rainbow Nerds". Wikipedia
Introduced: 1983"
Owner: Ferrara Candy Company
Previous owner: Nestlé
Larger packages may contain various colors—sometimes referred to as "Rainbow Nerds".
Another great SOL story title! LGTBQ anyone?
I have a subsidiary question. Having changed all occurrences of 'geek' to 'nerd' in my story so far, the group noun 'squad' grated on me. SOL returns 40 stories containing 'geek squad' but only two containing 'nerd squad'. Is there a more appropriate group noun for nerds than squad?
a more appropriate group noun for nerds than squad?
detachment, detail. platoon, battery, troop, patrol,
squadron, cadre, commando, unit, formation, Fire team.
Somewhat less military, study group or cram session. team? classmates. study partners.
Is there a more appropriate group noun for nerds than squad?
I've used nerd pack. Strange Relationships by Thinking Horndog uses "brain trust". I've seen that elsewhere as one word, "braintrust"
In the US, the word "Trust" in any corporation actually has some very stringent rules that allow it to only be used in the context of the Banking/Financial industry. I have an LLC (limited liability corp) that I formed with 2 friends to market an app for Science National Boards (grad school). There were a bunch of hoops we had to jump through to be allowed to have Braintrust (all one word) in our Corp name.
I know it's useless info, but that's what Uber-Nerds live for.
Is there a more appropriate group noun for nerds than squad?
I'm partial to a nest of nerds. However, a brilliance of nerds sounds good. I always liked a genius of geeks.
The most popular choice on Google's first page is 'herd'.
I'm tempted to change back to 'geek', even though it's the wrong term, just so I can use 'geek squad'.
I'm tempted to change back to 'geek', even though it's the wrong term, just so I can use 'geek squad'.
How about a 'nerd' of geeks (kind of like a murder of crows), and once that unlikely choice catches on (cough-cough), you can start using "Geek nerds". ')
The term "Geek Squad" was originally a marketing term for Best Buy (I believe), and referred only to the technicians working for them during their normal operating hours, to emphasize that they'd comprehend your technical problems, no matter how sophisticated.
Unfortunately, the term took off, and eventually got applied to nerds, geeks and dweebs of all stripes, indiscriminately, thus ANY group of (mostly guys) who sit around talking about the latest gadgets was automatically dismissed as a 'Geek Squad' of nobodies that no one was interested in wasting time on. :(
@richardshagrin
Somewhat less military, study group or cram session. team? classmates. study partners.
Or you could use "Geek class", university, church, mass, temple or even Cathedral. ;)
Best Buy's Geek Squad has a service called Nerds on Call and for a small fee they can give you the support you need over the phone, online, and with in home service.
Best Buy's Geek Squad has a service called Nerds on Call and for a small fee they can give you the support you need over the phone, online, and with in home service.
Can I request to be serviced by the good looking girl nerd?
Can I request to be serviced by the good looking girl nerd?
Only if you don't mind being sued for sexual harassment.
Can I request to be serviced by the good looking girl nerd?
I don't know as that is a question on what you are capable of doing. Just incase you will need to do a return save your receipt.
Best Buy's Geek Squad has a service called Nerds on Call and for a small fee they can give you the support you need over the phone, online, and with in home service.
Change a digit in the phone number and one letter to become Bust Buy and for a small fee they can give you phone sex, a private video line, or in home service.
(Seriously when I read the description for Best Buy I thought it could be a cover for an escort service
Change a digit in the phone number and one letter to become Bust Buy and for a small fee they can give you phone sex, a private video line, or in home service.
(Seriously when I read the description for Best Buy I thought it could be a cover for an escort service
daisydesiree I thought the same thing way back when Best Buy had a commercial for Geek Squad and their Nerds on Call program as it looked like one of those late night 1 900 commercials. Maybe that is why the commercials never lasted.
A knot of nerds.
That's actually appropriate, since they often sit with everyone leaning forward, multiple bodies but only a single head, watching whatever they're currently working on. "Nerd Knot", though, doesn't work nearly as well.
if they're females it could be a giggle of geek girls
Geeks, whatever they're doing, generally take themselves too seriously, thus you don't get a lot of giggles from geeks while they're geeking out!
I've always used the Milhouse rule, named for Milhouse van Houten. Who once said:
"I'm not a nerd. Nerds are smart."
Airhead fangirl? Geek. Rocket Scientist with a Hello Kitty backpack? Nerd.
Rocket Scientist with a Hello Kitty backpack? Nerd.
No 'Hello Kitty' backpack but definitely rocket scientist material. I take that as another vote for 'nerd'.
No 'Hello Kitty' backpack but definitely rocket scientist material. I take that as another vote for 'nerd'.
Context says a lot (like the 'Hello Kitty' backpack). If they're simply super smart and fascinated with technology, then they'd be a geek. But if they're into the nitty-gritty details of obscure programs and Geek Speak, then they're definitely nerds. Geeks are aiming for something bigger, while nerds are usually distracted by the latest glittery thing.
Geeks were somewhat humored by "The Big Bang Theory" TV series, but nerds can quote entire episodes. Geeks will eventually rule the world, while nerds will likely be ostracized for the rest of their lives. There are graduations, of course, but most will easily slide into either category (i.e. they have a decent job at NASA, but continue attending ComicCon and will likely never rise to senior management).