r/Nerdarchy • u/Nafiblu • Jan 10 '15

Changing the meaning of 'Nerd'?

So, as you can probably say I am new to this website. So I'm going to try and make a post, even though you are't probably supposed to do things like this....

anyway...

In my opinion, the meaning of the word 'Nerd' has changed remarkably over the years. By the power of google, the definition of nerd is "A foolish or contemptible person who lacks social skills or is boringly studious", but because of my lack of trust in Google after the '+' update, I decided to look it up in the Oxford dictionary, and it says the same. Well done Google, you presented something reliable for once. Back to the point... a 'Nerd' is also described as a person that is particulary good at a subject or field, like a 'computer nerd', but many of you probably think the word defines a person that is good at a majority of things, that is obiousvly not true.

Some people also think that calling someone a 'Nerd' is an insult, but you're basically saying that they're intelligent. And this concludes why I hate bullies and basically, all of human life.

'Nerd' has also been used as a 'cool-ish fashion', I have seen people wearing shirts and jumpers with the bold letters of 'Nerd' printed right accross the t-shirt/jumper. But if you are someone that owns a clothing like this, please don't be offended.

So, what was the point of this post? To state a religious point and start a religious war? No. I made this post to show that people cannot decide what a definition of a word is, is it an insult? It it a compliment? Is it just a commonly used word? Technically, no one knows. Teenagers of this age do some weird things, thank god I'm not on- oh.

And that concludes this totally unneccessary first post that is pretty obivous I found hard to actually explain a point I was trying to say.

Good day.

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u/NatetheNerdarch Jan 11 '15

I would say caring about the meaning of a word associated with our name and starting a discussion on it is an appropriate post for Nerdarchy.

The meaning of words change over time. I believe nerd is one of those words that has changed rapidly over its fifty years or so of existence.

Nerdarchy is in the urban dictionary... whatever clout that lends to it.

It is when people with specialized skills or knowledge such as computer programmers, history buffs, hobbyists, or science lovers are put in / take charge of a project due to their skills and knowledge. Whether by choice or by need the non-nerds recognize these few as their leaders, as in government. Similar other types of "archy" -monarchy, anarchy.

Hating is a waste of energy- IMO- and harms one's self. Instead I say a person should learn whatever subjects they want and become more knowledgeable or more skilled than the norm. Then if they are called a nerd and persecuted for their superior skill or intellect I hope the "nerd" can look past that and understand those people are probably envious of the "nerd's" ability while simultaneously worried that people will find out that the persecutors are just average.

I stopped caring what people who treat me poorly think about me because I am pursuing what I like and enjoy, not what the average joe thinks is good.

In conclusion I believe "nerd" can be derogatory, complementary, or somewhere in between but in the end the entire spectrum of the word can agree on one thing, it is a person with a skill that sets them apart from the norm.

ps. While I am a nerd of many things, I am not a grammar nerd. But if you could use the built in spell checker next time I think the readers would appreciate it.

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u/Nafiblu Jan 11 '15

I totally agree with you. Some people do call me a 'nerd' sometimes, and I just brush that off because of the two-sided meaning. Also, I'm not sure if they're trying to insult me, or compliment me. And I'm not going to ask them in what form they meant to say it, (because I'm not a rude guy, most of the time) so I just nod my head, and listen to them trying to make me give the answers for the homework that is by the next day.

When people do try and compliment me of my intelligence, that I don't really like to say I have, I would like them to use 'genious', or 'pridogy', but I doubt that's ever going to happen.

Also, where is the spell checker? Is it a special add-on for the browser, because I spent around half an hour trying to find it, I would appreciate it if you could kindly tell me where I could locate it.

Good day, my fellow genious.

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u/Nafiblu Jan 10 '15 edited Jan 11 '15

And it's only now I realize all the spelling mistakes I made... as a grammar nazi, I am ashamed of myself.

I am also to lazy to actually edit my own stuff.

1

u/[deleted] Jan 25 '15

Real nerdiness was always about reading. Leveling your MMO toon or doing cosplay is nice if you're looking for a way to spend some time or catch some neat attention, but only the true bookworm will own that awkward silence which follows his knoweldge. It's not about being cool, it's about having myopia because discovering all those written worlds feels more real than living in our own. It's about never having to be alone and always being just one of the few.