Difference Between Nerd and Geek

Has anyone written a scientific treatise on the differences between nerd and geek?

On the one hand, I could instigate endless debate about the finer points of nerds.

On the other hand I could construct nerds with a 3-D meat printer.

@programmerhumor@lemmy.ml

@snooggums@midwest.social
link
fedilink
English
16
edit-2
7M

How I remember it being used as a kid in the 80s/90s and were about less popular things like math/science/chess/D&D/band/etc.

Nerd - Knows a lot of minutes about a thing, but is generally introverted in how they approach it. They will discuss it calmly with other needs, hang out in small groups, and might even hide their interest if they are bullied.

Geek - Knows a lot of minute about a nerdy thing, but is extremely excited about it externally. They 'geek out about the thing and want to share it with everyone.

I assume they were used differently in different places and times, so that’s just my experience.

Ethan
link
fedilink
English
67M

I think the word you want is minutiae?

@snooggums@midwest.social
link
fedilink
English
2
edit-2
7M

Yes, autocorrect seems to be worse than usual lately.

Minute <- just checked and it switches the words and I guess it is time to figure out how to turn autocorrect off.

That’s more or less my understanding, a nerd knows a lot of useless random facts, but a geek will tell them to you whether you asked or not.

Create a post

Post funny things about programming here! (Or just rant about your favourite programming language.)

Rules:

  • Posts must be relevant to programming, programmers, or computer science.
  • No NSFW content.
  • Jokes must be in good taste. No hate speech, bigotry, etc.
  • 1 user online
  • 77 users / day
  • 211 users / week
  • 413 users / month
  • 2.92K users / 6 months
  • 1 subscriber
  • 1.53K Posts
  • 33.8K Comments
  • Modlog