Nerd vs. Geek

This question haunted me many a night as I contemplated starting this blog: What’s the difference between a Nerd and a Geek?

You see, I am a writer. Words are my life. And I didn’t want to choose the (gasp!) wrong word to describe my husband.

Not to mention that in the company of Nerds and Geeks, you better use the correct term or you’ll be flogged.

So, what is a Nerd? According to Merriam Webster.com a Nerd is “an unstylish, unattractive, or socially inept person; especially : one slavishly devoted to intellectual or academic pursuits.”

Eek. I don’t like that definition. I am insanely attracted to my husband, although he *is* a little unstylish and socially awkward. So I’ll give them that. But the thing to note here is that a Nerd is “slavishly devoted to intellectual or academic pursuits.”

Basically, a Nerd is a super-smart individual who is socially awkward and pursues hobbies and interests that are often socially unaccepted.

And, according to Merriam Webster.com, a Geek is “an enthusiast or expert especially in a technological field or activity.”

So, a Geek just pursues those hobbies and interests that are often socially unaccepted. They don’t necessarily have the higher intellect of a Nerd.

Now, I mean no disrespect to the Geeks of the Universe, but there *is* a difference between the two. Imagine that pasty white 25-year-old who still lives in his mom’s basement, doesn’t have a job and plays WoW day and night. That’s a Geek.

Now imagine a pasty white 25-year-old who owns a home, works as a Mechanical Engineer and occasionally plays Halo 3. That’s a Nerd.

And here’s what the Nerds over at Urban Dictionary.com think of themselves: “An ‘individual’, i.e. a person who does not conform to society’s beliefs that all people should follow trends and do what their peers do. Often highly intelligent but socially rejected because of their obsession with a given subject, usually computers. Unfortunately, nerds seem to have problems breeding, to the detriment of mankind as a whole.”

So, if you (or your man) have the brains to back your interest in all things Nerdy, you are fit to wear the title.

I’m proud to call my man a Nerd! 🙂