geek
uk/ɡiːk/ us/ɡiːk/
NOUN [ C ]
- someone who is intelligent but not fashionable or popular
He’s such a geek.
- someone who is very interested in a particular subject and knows a lot about it
a self-confessed movie geek
Etymology
In the 1600’s Geek originally meant someone that was a fool, had no skills or was a simpleton. Variations on the spelling include geke, gecke and geck. This meaning carried on long into the 1800s when it was also popularised in American slang. In the 1900s, the meaning of the word morphed into a type of carnival performer that would do things such as biting the heads off of live animals and other equally shocking undertakings – a circus freak. However, this did not take over the entire meaning of the word geek; it also meant a weak man.
The transformation of the meaning of the word Geek from a foolish or weak man to a studious person came about first in Black American slang in the 1980s. It was then attached to the high-tech world and claimed by technical specialists from the 1990s onwards. It became a fairly neutral slang term meaning a ‘person having knowledgeability or capability.’
The word Geek developed over hundreds of years from quite harsh and derogatory meanings to one that is favourable and claimed proudly. Being a Geek makes you a part of a community; it shows enthusiasm and is a positive marker of identity for many.
Reclaiming the word Geek
Being a Geek is now more desirable (and less of an insult!). The term Geek describes an expert or enthusiast obsessed with a hobby or intellectual pursuit. It has been reclaimed as an identity to be proud of by many people, and the use of the word is becoming more widespread than it was previously.
The word Geek can also suggest pride behind the knowledge or intelligence a person possesses. Its more acceptable use could even encourage young people to study and work in more ‘Geeky’ areas such as science and tech. There is even a post by Agency Central exploring the ‘Top 10 jobs for geeks’.
In proprietary research by Lady Geek, they found that 91% of people would be proud to be called a geek. People are now more likely to associate the word with passion and intelligence – it is a compliment in many regards. It has also lost the meaning of ‘socially inept’ – you can be a geek without being socially awkward!
Interesting YouTube videos:
If you’d like to learn more about the evolution of the word Geek, this YouTube video The History of the Word Geek[1] by GeekHeavy is informative and entertaining!
This video by BBC Earth Science Geek Vs. Nerd: Which Are You? | Earth Science (youtube.com)[2] also covers more about what it means to be a Geek.
Would you be proud to be called a Geek?
What do you associate the word Geek with? Does it have more positive connotations, or is it still a negative term for you?
What could you be called a Geek for?
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Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash