Nerd

For other uses, see Nerd (disambiguation).

A nerd is a person seen as overly intellectual, obsessive, introverted, or lacking social skills. Such a person may spend inordinate amounts of time on unpopular, little known, or non-mainstream activities, which are generally either highly technical, abstract, or relating to niche topics such as science fiction or fantasy, to the exclusion of more mainstream activities.[1][2][3] Additionally, many so-called nerds are described as being shy, quirky, pedantic, and unattractive.[4]

Originally derogatory, the term "nerd" was a stereotype, but as with other pejoratives, it has been reclaimed and redefined by some as a term of pride and group identity.[5]

  1. ^ "Nerd | Define Nerd at Dictionary.com", "Dictionary.com, LLC" 2011, accessed May 13, 2011.
  2. ^ nerd, n. Oxford English Dictionary online. Third edition, September 2003; online version September 2011. First included in Oxford English Dictionary second edition, 1989.
  3. ^ "Definition of NERD", Merriam-Webster, 2011, retrieved 23 November 2011
  4. ^ DA Kinney (1993). "From nerds to normals: The recovery of identity among adolescents from middle school to high school". Sociology of Education. 66 (1): 21–40. doi:10.2307/2112783. ISSN 0038-0407. JSTOR 2112783.
  5. ^ Tracy L. Cross (2005). "Nerds and Geeks: Society's Evolving Stereotypes of Our Students With Gifts and Talents". Social/Emotional Needs. 28 (4).