Question for the teenagers

Cadaverous Pallor · 10-02-2010, 09:50 PM

Ok, I'm officially old, and I'm ok with that.

I've got a dumb old person question for the teenagers here, so parents, pass this on if you would.

I'm wondering whether teenagers use the terms "nerd" or "geek" as an insult anymore. It may be hard for a 14 year old to understand, but when I was in high school, these words were NOT cool. Even those of us in the outcast group didn't use them lightly. Witnessing the transformation of these terms has been surprising. Now everyone bandies them about as badges of honor.

Do these words still have any bite left, or are they actually used as compliments? What words are used today by teens to mean "awkward social outcast"? Dork, spaz, freak? I guess you can take a few out of the list and there are still plenty to use, as well as new ones us ancient ones haven't heard yet.

ToriBear · 10-02-2010, 11:06 PM

Geek and nerd are generally positive and even dork at times. My friends and I don't really say bad things about other people, unless they're really horrible. Then, it's asshole.

Mousey Girl · 10-03-2010, 04:31 AM

I will ask The Boy when he gets home. He does call himself a computer/gaming geek and even a nerd at times.

Alex · 10-03-2010, 04:42 AM

CP, I think my experience of those words when I was a teenager was differnet than yours. I don't recall viewing them as particularly insulting and we were definitely very free in using the terms (nerd more than geek) to label ourselves as well.

Ghoulish Delight · 10-03-2010, 08:00 AM

For me, while within my peer group we never had a problem calling ourselves nerds or geeks, but they were still used as insults towards us by people outside our group.

wolfy999 · 10-03-2010, 09:10 AM

I've got 2 teens here this morning....as soon as they return from the donut shop I'll ask them.

Not Afraid · 10-03-2010, 10:08 AM

Nerd and geek are the new sexy.

Cadaverous Pallor · 10-03-2010, 10:13 AM

Perhaps my particular group of nerds was extra sensitive to the term. We knew we were nerds but I recall that we only said it when we really wanted to cut into each other. It had a stone thrown in a glass house, pot calling the kettle black feel.

Our group was truly a loose association of outcasts who had been tossed from other groups, so "nerd" stung quite a bit. I think "dork" was a more affectionate, joking term.

wolfy999 · 10-03-2010, 11:09 AM

From Wolfette & friend (we can call her Wolfgal): bitch, slut, rat faced bitch, horseface, dicks, losers, loners, fags (excuse the girls they are being honest).

innerSpaceman · 10-03-2010, 12:26 PM

Hahahahaha. Yeah, even back in my day, we were much too foulmouthed to use "geek" or "nerd" for those we were disparaging.

10-02-2010, 09:50 PM	#1
Cadaverous Pallor ohhhh baby Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Parental Bliss Posts: 12,364	Question for the teenagers Ok, I'm officially old, and I'm ok with that. I've got a dumb old person question for the teenagers here, so parents, pass this on if you would. I'm wondering whether teenagers use the terms "nerd" or "geek" as an insult anymore. It may be hard for a 14 year old to understand, but when I was in high school, these words were NOT cool. Even those of us in the outcast group didn't use them lightly. Witnessing the transformation of these terms has been surprising. Now everyone bandies them about as badges of honor. Do these words still have any bite left, or are they actually used as compliments? What words are used today by teens to mean "awkward social outcast"? Dork, spaz, freak? I guess you can take a few out of the list and there are still plenty to use, as well as new ones us ancient ones haven't heard yet. __________________ The second star to the right shines in the night for you
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10-02-2010, 11:06 PM	#2
ToriBear Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: In my laptop Posts: 549	Geek and nerd are generally positive and even dork at times. My friends and I don't really say bad things about other people, unless they're really horrible. Then, it's asshole. __________________
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10-03-2010, 04:31 AM	#3
Mousey Girl Just Me Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: In The Flagon With The Dragon Posts: 2,437	I will ask The Boy when he gets home. He does call himself a computer/gaming geek and even a nerd at times.
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10-03-2010, 04:42 AM	#4
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	CP, I think my experience of those words when I was a teenager was differnet than yours. I don't recall viewing them as particularly insulting and we were definitely very free in using the terms (nerd more than geek) to label ourselves as well.
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10-03-2010, 08:00 AM	#5
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	For me, while within my peer group we never had a problem calling ourselves nerds or geeks, but they were still used as insults towards us by people outside our group. __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
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10-03-2010, 09:10 AM	#6
wolfy999 Eyes like Sapphires! Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: 2.4 miles from Disneyland Posts: 1,523	I've got 2 teens here this morning....as soon as they return from the donut shop I'll ask them. __________________ Diane "Honesty may be the best policy, but it's important to remember that apparently, by elimination, dishonesty is the second-best policy." - George Carlin 1937-2008 DISNEY IS FINALLY PAYING ME BACK......STILL OWES ME ABOUT (oh, wait....way too much)!
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10-03-2010, 10:08 AM	#7
Not Afraid HI! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 17,108	Nerd and geek are the new sexy.
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10-03-2010, 10:13 AM	#8
Cadaverous Pallor ohhhh baby Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Parental Bliss Posts: 12,364	Perhaps my particular group of nerds was extra sensitive to the term. We knew we were nerds but I recall that we only said it when we really wanted to cut into each other. It had a stone thrown in a glass house, pot calling the kettle black feel. Our group was truly a loose association of outcasts who had been tossed from other groups, so "nerd" stung quite a bit. I think "dork" was a more affectionate, joking term. __________________ The second star to the right shines in the night for you
	Submit to Quotes

10-03-2010, 11:09 AM	#9
wolfy999 Eyes like Sapphires! Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: 2.4 miles from Disneyland Posts: 1,523	From Wolfette & friend (we can call her Wolfgal): bitch, slut, rat faced bitch, horseface, dicks, losers, loners, fags (excuse the girls they are being honest). __________________ Diane "Honesty may be the best policy, but it's important to remember that apparently, by elimination, dishonesty is the second-best policy." - George Carlin 1937-2008 DISNEY IS FINALLY PAYING ME BACK......STILL OWES ME ABOUT (oh, wait....way too much)!
	Submit to Quotes

10-03-2010, 12:26 PM	#10
innerSpaceman Kink of Swank Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inner Space Posts: 13,075	Hahahahaha. Yeah, even back in my day, we were much too foulmouthed to use "geek" or "nerd" for those we were disparaging.
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