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A geek (pronunciation /gi:k/ ) 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).
Various definitions
The definition of geek has changed considerably over time, but the use is colloquial and there is no definite official meaning. The social and rather derogatory connotations of the word makes it particularly difficult to define. Below are some definitions of the word; all are still in use to varying degrees.
· A person who is interested in technology, especially computing and new media. Comparable with the classic definition of hacker. (Late 20th century and early 21st century.)
· A person who has chosen concentration rather than conformity; one who pursues skill (especially technical skill) and imagination, not mainstream social acceptance. Geeks usually have a strong case of neophilia. Most geeks are adept with computers and treat hacker as a term of respect, but not all are hackers themselves - and some who are in fact hackers normally call themselves geeks anyway, because they (quite properly) regard 'hacker' as a label that should be bestowed by others rather than self-assumed.
· A person with a devotion to something in a way that places him or her outside the mainstream. This could be due to the intensity, depth, or subject of their interest. This definition is very broad, and allows for mathematics geeks, aviation geeks, band geeks, computer geeks, politics geeks, modelmaking geeks, music geeks, theatre geeks, history geeks, linguistics geeks, sports geeks, SCA geeks (SCAdians), gaming geeks, Comics geeks, ham radio geeks, public transit geeks (metrophiles), anime and manga geeks (otaku), Star Wars geeks, Star Trek geeks (Trekkies and Trekkers, the latter noted for costuming), Tolkien or fantasy geeks, and even Wikipedia geeks. (Late 20th century and early 21st century.)
· G.E.E.K., as an acronym, reputedly 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 as a humorous reference toward the pre-established meaning for geek (i.e., a backronym).
· A derogatory term for one with low social skills, regardless of intelligence. Similar to common use of the word dork. (Late 20th century.)
· A performer at a carnival who swallows various live animals and bugs. Sometimes this extends to biting off the heads of chickens. The Geek would usually perform in a "geek pit". This sense of the word dates back to the 1920s, and possibly comes from the 16th century word geck, originally of Low German origin. In English the precursor word "geck" or "gecke" was used by Shakespeare: "Why have you suffer'd me to be imprison'd, kept in a dark house, visited by the priest, and made the most notorious geck and gull That e'er invention play'd on?" (Twelfth Night, V.i). The word also thought to appear in Cymbeline
(wordorigins.org).
[edit]
Reclaiming and self-identification
Geek has always had negative connotations within society at large, where being described as a geek tends to be an insult. The term has recently become less condescending, or even a badge of honor, within particular fields and subcultures; this is particularly evident in the technical disciplines, where the term is now more of a compliment denoting extraordinary skill. There is an increasing number of people who self-identify with the term, even when they don't fit the classic geek profile which emphasizes high intelligence but social isolation and loneliness as a result.
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Nontechnical geeks
In the past, the image of geeks has almost always been associated with someone who was assumed to be more intelligent and educated than the general public due to the notion that many of them were intellectually talented. However, with the revolution caused by electronic entertainment, the internet, and television, many, both male and female, have styled themselves as geeks in the interest of appearing more intelligent or generating a fashionably quirky image. Examples of both can especially be seen in many genre fandom circles where esoteric jargon is frequently employed as a sign of being "in the know" or the desire to be part of a subculture's elite. An example of this is the widespread use ofjaplish in many western otaku circles or the frequent use of L33t online. Many of these geeks prefer pop culture, entertainment and artsy or fannish subjects rather than the traditional domain of geeks; science or technical fields which are intellectually demanding and require serious committment. Jay and Silent Bob of Kevin Smith's Jersey Trilogy (Clerks, Mallrats, and Chasing Amy) popularizes the image of self-styled geeks who may be proficient at absorbing pop culture/entertainment information (such as comics, movies, videogames, and sci-fi) but are not particularly educated or intelligent otherwise.
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See also
· Anorak
· Asperger's Syndrome
· Beat the Geeks
· Boffin
· Freaks and Geeks
· Geek Code
· Geek chic
· Geek Squad
· Geek canon
· Geekcorps
· Gling Gling
· Hacker
· Leet
· Nerd
· Otaku
· Social anxiety
· Whiz Kid
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