Nerd

For other uses of the term, see nerd (disambiguation).

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Nerd, as a stereotypical or archetypal designation, refers to people of above-average intelligence whose interests (often in science and mathematics) are not shared by mainstream society.

Related Topics:
Stereotypical - Archetypal - People - Intelligence - Science - Mathematics - Mainstream - Society

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However, beginning in the late 1990s, many nerds on the Internet reclaimed the word nerd as a badge of pride and began using it as a positive description of a technically-competent person. Although traditionally used to describe men and boys, the terms "nerd" and "geek" have been adopted by many women interested in technology, science, mathematics and other typically male-dominated intellectual fields as badges of their accomplishments in these areas.

Related Topics:
1990s - Internet - Person - Geek

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The term "nerd", meaning "square" goes back at least to 1951, when Newsweek reported the usage as relatively new in Detroit. By the 1960s, it took on conotations of bookishness as well as social ineptitude. The word itself first appeared in Dr. Seuss's book If I Ran the Zoo, published in 1950, where it simply names one of Seuss's many comical imaginary animals. (The narrator Gerald McGrew claims that he would collect "a Nerkle, a Nerd, and a Seersucker too" for his imaginary zoo.) Another theory of the word's origin sees it as a version of Mortimer Snerd, the name of Edgar Bergen's ventriloquist dummy. Yet another theory traces the term to Northern Electric Research and Development, suggesting images of employees wearing pocket protectors with the acronym N.E.R.D. printed on them. And yet another theory claims that nerd comes from the word "drunk" reversed to "knurd", to illustrate someone who did not drink at parties.

Related Topics:
1951 - Newsweek - 1960s - Dr. Seuss - If I Ran the Zoo - 1950 - Mortimer Snerd - Edgar Bergen - Northern Electric Research and Development - Knurd

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The stereotypical nerd image as seen in the mass media and cartoons equates to a young man wearing thick black eyeglasses (preferably broken and taped up with electrical tape), pocket protectors, high-water pants and dress shirts or clothes generally too formal for the circumstances. Sometimes the stereotype lacks personal hygiene skills, and he will typically appear either very skinny or extremely fat. Stereotypical nerds usually lack social graces and the ability to perform social interaction, except on technical topics.

Related Topics:
Stereotypical - Mass media - Cartoon - Eyeglasses - Pocket protector

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In association with their image in certain Western societies as a so-called Model Minority, some East Asians get stereotyped as studious and untalkative nerds.

Related Topics:
Western societies - Model Minority - Asians

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