4.18.2005

A question I pose to thee

What is the difference between a nerd and a dork?

7 comments:

hockeyfrog said...

Main Entry: nerd
Pronunciation: 'n&rd
Function: noun
Etymology: perhaps from nerd, a creature in the children's book If I Ran the Zoo (1950) by Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel)
: an unstylish, unattractive, or socially inept person; especially : one slavishly devoted to intellectual or academic pursuits (computer nerds)
- nerd·ish /'n&r-dish/ adjective
- nerdy /-dE/ adjective


Main Entry: dork
Pronunciation: 'dork
Function: noun
Etymology: perhaps alteration of dick
slang : NERD; also : JERK 4

(thanks Merriam-Webster Dictionary Online.. www.m-w.com)

The Math Ninja said...

So really, since a dork can be a nerd, there isn't really much difference? How about a percieved difference in society? What may that be?

Blessum Yellowstone Trip said...

Well now from what I can tell that's regional. After a long discussion with friends, we found an east coast west coast and midwest split in the distinction. East coast you want to be a dork if you are smart, but a nerd implies a socially inept person. On the other hand midwest people (at least people I know in the midwest) wanted to be nerds if you were smart and a dork was a socially inept person (who was also smart). I don't remember what the west coast people thought...

The Math Ninja said...

That is a good point. It probably is regional. The reason I asked is because, I'm not sure how I would refer to myself and some others. I sometimes call dork, I sometimes call nerd, it isn't really like a good or bad thing, its just a thing. But I think I like the regional arguement.

Ookami Snow said...

I agree with Julia, for us a nerd is a better term than dork. Although calling someone a dork is almost always in play, where calling someone a nerd might not be. (at least in HS it was.)

Jamie Dawn said...

Where does "geek" fit into all of this?

The Math Ninja said...

Geek is a good one too. I am not sure. I think of geek as more associated with "band geek" or "math geek" It kinda takes a hobby to the extreme? super absorbed in something nerdy.