Geek

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Professor Frink from The Simpsons, a stereotypical science geek.
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Professor Frink from The Simpsons, a stereotypical science 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 changed considerably over the years. Below are some definitions of the word "geek". 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 übergeeks.
  • 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
  • A derogatory term for one with low social skills, sometimes with average intelligence. Late 20th century
Steve Wozniak, an atypically successful electrical engineering and computer geek
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Steve Wozniak, an atypically successful electrical engineering and computer geek

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.

Stephanie Pakrul, or StephTheGeek, a relatively notable blogger.
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Stephanie Pakrul, or StephTheGeek, a relatively notable blogger.


Geek has always had negative connotations in general colloquial usage, where being described as a geek tends to be an insult. Although self-indentified geeks have come to the conclusion that the term has recently become less condescending, or even a badge of honor, this viewpoint simply isn't supported amongst the general populace. A geek is defined by certain negative attributes, primarily a lack of basic social skills, and this hasn't changed since the term became associated with a specific personality type. One can't be a geek in the public mind if one lacks these deficits, and since geeks don't have a monopoly on the definition of the word these deficits are inherently associated with the word.


Geeks discussing software in a bar
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Geeks discussing software in a bar


Possible causes

There is no conclusive evidence that either medical or environmental causes are predominant in contributing to a geek-type personality. Technological obsessiveness and difficulty with conventional social interaction might be explained by Autistic Spectrum Disorder, particularly Asperger's Syndrome, as well as by ADHD. But many of these same "geek" attributes can likewise be attributed to simple environmental influences -- a love of books leading to a lack of social life, or an early teacher, friend, or family member who provided mentoring in an area coinciding with, and reinforcing, a pre-existing natural aptitude, leading to life-long vocation.

See also

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