For many dictionaries, word “Geek” simply means a person with an obsessive interest in a particular subject or topic. It is a slang term used to denote an uninteresting person. The person is hence, considered as unconventional or non-mainstream having only one interest or hobby. It contains a negative connotation as a “geek” is necessarily an unwanted or dislikable individual particularly, one identified as excessively intellectual. However, there are many other meanings and definitions to this word, which have evolved out with the passage of time. For instance, it also means a human being who is considered as an expert in a specific field or subject.
History
Word “Geek” contains a vast history as it evolved out from “Geck” which has roots in “Middle Lower German” dialect. In addition, it was used to denote a person who was not so intelligent, obsessed with something and necessarily a fool. The original word is a part of Modern German Language and used to refer a silly person. It also has connection with Afrikaans and Dutch Language as an adjective from the Afrikaans dialect is “Gek” which means “crazy”. An Alsatian word, Gickeleshut means hat of a clown.
The word has also connections with circus clowns as history indicates. In the 18th century, Geckens from the Austria-Hungary dialect was taken as fools who are presented to the audience in the circuses. In addition, after a century, the word “Geek” evolved from the Northern America, which actually meant a person performing bizarre things to please the audience. Their shows were known as “Geek Show” or sometimes “Freak Show.”
Working Definition
The word has developed with the passage of time, and today “Geek” has become a synonym of “Nerd” to some extinct. The modern definition of the word is an intelligent person with chief interest in a particular subject for instance; Math, Computer, English, Gadget Geeks and so on. Hence, geeks are those people having a major concern about the subject. They are deemed as uninteresting for others due to their single point of interest. Computer or gadget geeks are very famous nowadays.
Characteristics
Major characters of the geeks include their over-involvement in an individual subject which makes them tedious, dull, out-of-date, incompetent, obsessed; however experts in their field.
Related terms with three examples of the modern day geeks
Related terms used for geeks are nerds, dorks, buffoons, cyberpunks, weirdoes and freaks, etc. There are many examples of modern day geeks and three among them are as follows: technology geeks, gadget geeks, mathematic geek.
Computer Geek: A person who is obsessed with computers and keeps himself indulged in it. He has all the updates related with computers and has no other subject to take about. Computer geeks are also renowned as computer nerds, cyberpunks, computer freaks and more.
Gadget Geek: A person who has a special interest in latest gadgets. A gadget geek keeps researching about modern day gadgets and new arrivals and researches about them profoundly. They also have latest collections about them, for example, new smartphones, tablets, laptops, etc.
Mathematic Geek: A mathematic geek is an individual who is very good at math, its formulae, theorems and calculations, etc. He scores the highest in mathematics but has no good scores in other subjects, often.
In short, geek word has progressed with time as there is a huge different between its past and present meaning. However, the major meaning remains the same i.e. someone with an obsessive interest.
References
Jantz, Gregory L. Hooked. Florida: Charisma Media Copyright., 2012.
Lynne Hamill, Amparo Larsen. Mobile World: Past, Present and Future. Guildford: Springer Copyright., 2006.
Tagg, Caroline. Discourse of Text Messaging: Analysis of SMS Communication. London: A & C Black Copyright., 2012.
