[Web4lib] New Job Title Pulled from Thin Air

[Frank Wales]

Robert L. Balliot wrote:
> It seems to me that the time has come for the OED to step in
> and settle on a clear definition [of 'geek'].

Well, the OED includes this definition for 'geek' (noun):

> A person who is extremely devoted to and knowledgeable about computers or related technology.
>   In this sense, esp. when as a self-designation, not necessarily depreciative.

And this one for nerd (noun):

> An insignificant, foolish, or socially inept person; a person who is boringly conventional 
> or studious. Now also: spec. a person who pursues an unfashionable or highly technical interest
> with obsessive or exclusive dedication.

I would consider both of these to be consistent with my own uses of these
terms, which is that being 'geeky' means being highly competent and well-
informed about some non-trivial field of (probably intellectual) endeavour,
while being 'nerdy' suggests to me perhaps some degree of social ineptitude
or discomfort or isolation.  So I see 'nerdy' as being independent of
any geekish qualities, although it might well be co-morbid with 'geeky'.

(Also, I wouldn't limit geekiness to just computers; I'm happy to call OED editor
John Simpson a word geek, or Evelyn Glennie a music geek, or Stanley Kubrick a movie
geek, because they're all ludicrously knowledgeable, enthusiastic and competent.)

I've also encountered the phrase "a geek is a nerd with social skills" on more
than one occasion, although not sufficiently memorably to provide useful citations.

The OED also has definitions for geek (verb) and 'geeked out', which
are consistent with my sense that these mean "mentally engrossed" or
"carried away with yourself" when it applies to your topic of geekosity.
I'm at a loss to think of times when I've encountered any 'nerd'
equivalents of these, which tends to confirm my sense that 'geek'
and 'nerd' don't really belong to the same class of description.

As for job titles, I'm gravitating towards 'software geezer',
which is conclusive proof that I'm not a marketing geek.
-- 
Frank Wales [frank at limov.com]