How do you differentiate between a nerd, geek, dork, etc?

[DizzyDesii]

When I asked the question yesterday about puzzles and shit, I was mainly looking for the Steve Urkel OR like Stiles from Teen Wolf OR Dwayne Wayne from Different World OR Mark from Step By Step OR Raj from Whats Happening... Like what is the super smart kid in class technically called... is that a nerd, a geek, a dork? Like I do not mean the video game playing, anime watching, manga reading, lego building type…. Help me out here. Because when I say I find nerds/dorks/geeks hot (though not necessarily Steve Urkel and the others above), I’m definitely referring to like the intelligent overachieving teacher’s pet type… #FeelFreeToList

Someone similar to a Steve Urkel is considered a nerd

Someone similar to a Steve Urkel is considered a geek

Someone similar to a Steve Urkel is considered a dork

Someone similar to a Steve Urkel is considered another term (ok please name it below)

Updates

2 mo

See so even urban dictionary would also classify steve as a nerd
www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Nerd

And gamers would be geeks
www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=geek

Updates

2 mo

Thank you for all the opinions. I’m confused even more than before 😂 Just know when i call a dude a nerd, im referring to hot/booksmart/academic overachiever yum yum yum. I’m shocked dorks are getting such bad reps in these definitions below. I assumed they were a bit corny but still cute. A geek, ehhh nothing sounds hot about a geek but i think of them as tech saavy and into hobbies that im not lol

[Oliverlogan263]

Woah, it's kinda tricky trying to figure out the differences between all these terms. From what I've seen:

- A nerd is typically really smart, especially book-smart. They're into learning and school. Someone like Steve Urkel would definitely be considered a nerd.

- A geek is also really into learning, but tends to be more into specific topics or hobbies like computers, science, gaming, comics, etc. They're more focused.

- A dork is kind of a mix - they can be smart academically but also a bit goofy and awkward socially. Not as intense as a geek but not totally like a nerd either.

- There's also overlap between the terms. You can be both a nerd and a geek if you're super into learning everything.

I think when you say you find nerds hot, you're picturing the really smart, teacher's pet type - the academic overachiever. Geeks can be cool too if they're into interesting stuff. And dorks have their charm in a goofy kind of way.

It's not really about putting labels on people anyway. What matters is if you connect with someone and find them attractive, right? Don't worry too much about the specific term. Just go for whoever catches your eye!

[DizzyDesii]

Okay then yea nerds and dorks are hot to me

[GuyAnswersGirls123]

These days "nerd" seems to be thrown out very liberally (people even call Vin Diesel one), but when I was young, it always meant someone with very limited social skills as with the case of Urkel, Sheridan from Big Bang Theory:

They're people who tend to be very academically bright, most typically in STEM, but socially quite clueless. Actually a real-life contrast is Richard Feynman vs. Stephen Wolfram:

Feynman is a brilliant theoretical physicist, but he's not such a nerd by the classical definition. He was an outgoing type and have a sociable life of adventure and love. This letter he wrote to Wolfram illustrates a very big difference in mindsets.

Wolfram doesn't understand "ordinary people" and he sees them as "stupid fools". That's a nerd. They're people who can't relate to ordinary people.

[GuyAnswersGirls123]

Geeks are usually people who have some strong interests and hobbies, not necessarily academic. It could be like anime or video games or Dungeons & Dragons or music or films or something like that. Geeks aren't necessarily so socially clueless as with the case of nerds, although their passionate and geeky interests might still limit them to mostly clicking with people who have the same subset of interests.

[DizzyDesii]

Guess i really was a nerd lol

[Rosexøxø]

I had strictly made it so (and assumed)

Nerds were wizards of their trade (cool)

and Geeks were slime balls (uncool)

^ both intelligent, meanwhile dorks were more klutzy.

Later I realized it was how people said it, when THEY addressed others and how they defined themselves.

It’s different from person to person.

Someone’s tone of voice while calling another a nerdddd or geek- or “such a dork/ you dork.” Can indicate what they think, and ☝️ sometimes dorks are “cute” and like puppy or kiddish.

Some people call themselves what they think and what they like.

Some felt hurt by the feel or need so they end up saying “I AM! And I’m PROUD!”
Lol the same way people may say

“I am odd! Normal is boring!”
or

“I’m NOT ODD! I’m just different. 😌🫶🫰💅.”

So they may be smart in their profession, and choose geek/nerd over the other or interchangeably, and some may choose down for themselves as well.

By them- dorks, geeks, and nerds can be cool or uncool and usually always smart but sometimes dorks are seen as just plain stupid lol.

[Rosexøxø]

For myself, I just call people intelligent/ intellectual/ great at what they do, or lacking competency. 🤷‍♀️

I really never use those unless I’m quoting movies and/ or joking, but it’s quite rare.

Seems HIGHLYYY unnecessary if ya did ask me lol 😂

[Rosexøxø]

Voted Steve as a dork lol he can be a bit of geek possibly.

[DizzyDesii]

This makes sense

[Anonymous]

Nerd- Book smart, genius, intelligent, wears glasses. Could be unattractive or not. Showers, still capable of dressing presentable. Is self aware. Understands social cues, unlike geeks and dorks. Mature and is caple of having his own life. Likes classy women. Has a hard time with women due to his shyness.

Geek- Low IQ. Doesn't understand social ques. Manga/cartoons and other immature content take up his time. Anime conventions, Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh etc. Doesn't shower. Eats junk food. Blames women for everything. Thinks all women would be happy to have him as a man. Usually likes sluts.

Dork- Dresses dorky. Intelligent. Usually makes dumb jokes. Doesn't understand social ques but doesn't hate women unlike geeks. Likes anime but is not offended when other people dislike his interests. Finds it hard to get women because most women aren't interested in his hobbies. Usually a nice person but needs to mature.

[Opinion Owner]

For dorks. He understood some social ques but not all.

[DizzyDesii]

You make nerds sound so hot 😍

[Opinion Owner]

Yeah they have scholastic intelligence. They can be either attractive or unattractive physically.

[PBandJ_Nerd]

From what I know, nerds tend to be smart, intelligent, can be good in academics, and have several interests. A geek is smart & intelligent too, however they only have one obsession about a certain topic and will search anything about it (trading cards, history, tech, gadgets, etc.). A dork, well, I can't say much. But what I do know is that they might dress what could be considered unstylish and like things such as trading cars, bottle caps, buttons, etc. Say they like buttons-they'll make a necklace out of buttons or glue them on glass jars simply because they love those. Also, I'm sorry if this doesn't come across as good because I'm getting very sleepy and need sleep.

[DizzyDesii]

No it was a good read

[Lottydotty]

Nerds are more comic booky. They go hard on fandom. Geek is more tech guru types. Dork is just a dumbass or is perceived as a dumbass. "The Underdog Dumbass"

Everyone uses the words for eachother's meanings all the time so doesn't really matter socially.

Geek- a person who is knowledgeable about and obsessively interested in a particular subject, especially one that is technical or of specialist or niche interest.

Nerd- a person who is extremely enthusiastic and knowledgeable about a particular subject, especially one of specialist or niche interest.

Dork- A quirky, silly and/or stupid, socially inept person, or one who is out of touch with contemporary trends and typically has unfashionable hobbies. Also a whale schlong.

[DizzyDesii]

Which one is booksmart lol

[Lottydotty]

Any of them really. They're a lot alike in definition and in most contexts. Geek would be the more book smart in social terms I believe. They'd be the extremist nerds essentially.

[Lottydotty]

But nerd is a fine term. Also don't forget the term "buff" like "history buff"

[DizzyDesii]

I just dont want a know it all

[Lottydotty]

Right, hard to find one with a balance of knowing it all without the extreme ego.

[RavVid]

Don't think I can help much as I don't think it was shown on Aus TV but then I missed all of Seinfeld so maybe it was.

To me a nerd is book smart but his applications of it are massive fails. Nonetheless he is going to make money and end up with a trophy girlfriend who likes money.

A Dork is going to die a virgin even if a girl.

You have geek down. Like a nerd but only interested in using tech like playing games.

[DizzyDesii]

Wait what is the nerds fails?

[RavVid]

Well not everything works as hoped for but failures are an important part of learning.

[Joshydavid25]

Well they're all obsessive but

Nerds are usually smart and knowledgeable on certain subjects like science or math..

Geeks are knowledgeable on hobbies and videos games and the latest computer tech or something along those lines.

Dorks are just weirdos.. LOL..

[DizzyDesii]

Oh okay then i like nerds haah

[Joshydavid25]

Hahaha.. Yeah I figured..

[DizzyDesii]

But not normally. Baseball players and skateboarders still come first 😂🤷‍♀️

[Joshydavid25]

You can have the best of both worlds.. 😂😎👉..

[OtterMan68]

Nerd: smart, socially awkward, more interested in educational and intellectual pursuits than sports, entertainment, and chit chat

Geek: Doesn't have to be intelligent: loves comics, anime, sci-fi. Socially awkward.

Dork: Not smart, socially awkward,

[DizzyDesii]

Gosh nerds are so hawt

[jahaims]

A nerd is someone who unapologetically likes what they like and doesn't hide it to the point of it becoming socially acceptable and mainstream often times.

A geek is someone who is straight edge and is into academia or a special interest.

A dork is an awkward, uncoordinated, unaware person who just doesn't get it.

[DizzyDesii]

Your geek sounds like my def of a nerd

[RHK36]

Dork=obsessive over something usually not main stream

Nerd=smart and probably knowledgeable about whatever they study

Geek= combination of nerd and dork, but obsessive over nerdy stuff like science and math

[DizzyDesii]

Okay so i was right about nerds! I find them so adorable. I was once a nerd myself… been dumbed tf down since i graduated college years back 😂

[RHK36]

Was? Still kinda are probably. You're definitely a dork tho

[DizzyDesii]

Im a dork? I was a nerdy teachers pet. Now i’m just a ditz 😩

[RHK36]

Yes, without knowing much about you. Easily based on your movie tastes and how much you've watched, big time dork.

[RHK36]

But if you watch stuff multiple times breaking a movie down to study the music or cinematography then you enter geek territory. If you get super technical with it then you starting entering nerd realm.

[DizzyDesii]

Okay maybe you’re right 😂

[DizzyDesii]

Omg so im all 3! A package deal!

[AngryCarl]

What little I know of Urkel suggests that he is a dork, meaning he is a socially awkward person. A nerd may also be socially awkward but he has tech skills or something. A geek is obsessed with some element of pop culture, such as Star Trek or Star Wars. They may believe the Force is real or that things like timelines matter and should be respected. They may remain emotionally committed to a franchise long after it has ceased to be entertaining.

[DizzyDesii]

I want the academic one lom

[SunnyRS]

Well according to me-
Nerds- People who are very intelligent but socially awkward.
Geeks- They are also smart but their intelligence is mainly focused in one area which interests them and they are also socially awkward except they can talk to anyone regarding what their interest is.
Dorks- They are not so smart socially awkward people.

[DizzyDesii]

Ahhh okay

[jennifer_bloom]

Real nerds are attractive cause they work as surgeons and engineers and accountants. Steve is not a nerd cause he is not intellectually superior to others, he is dork cause he is obsessed with school but gets bad grades.

[DizzyDesii]

Steve got bad grades? Shit i dont remember that

[AlexEfron]

I never understood the difference 😂. All I knew was that if you're studious, you're a nerd and if you're techy, then you're a geek. If you're nerd and socially awkward, then you're a dork. 🤣 that's how I interpreted those words.

I guess the difference is blurry to me because English isn't the native language here. 😂 we learnt most of these words hearing actors in sitcoms and other reality shows (mostly American shows).

You can enjoy this though:

https://youtu.be/kwz-Md6OoyA?si=UZVu5cbUVUVDCrhQhttps://youtu.be/qZZ1OWQTgqQ?si=R3Y__OE3RRn3lVnj

[DizzyDesii]

Lol thanks

[exitseven]

Steve Urkel is a nerd. A brainy, unathketic person with limited social skills. A geek in rhe old days was somebody who worked in a carnival sideshow that used to bite the heads off live chickens.

[DizzyDesii]

See but when i say nerd (which is what i also thought it was) people assume im referring to gamers lol

[4ngelic]

nerds are smart

geeks are really into computer stuff

dorks are just cringy people

[DizzyDesii]

Lmaooo

[Rosexøxø]

Well said 👏

[SamIam96]

Honestly, I hate the Steve Urkel character. He's a dork.

For me, nerds and geeks are very similar and can be quite attractive.

nerd

[DizzyDesii]

So his unattractiveness makes him a dork? Lol would he be a nerd had he been hot?

[SamIam96]

Noooo. It's the way he moves, dresses and speaks that makes him a dork. I mean, the character is acted so well. I suppose that's why I have that "fingers on a chalkboard" feeling in my stomach.

[DizzyDesii]

I def dont want someone who sounds and walks like him 😂

[nawtee_me]

If she knows the cheats to the game I am playing then she is a nerd, if she can un-crash my computer then she is a geek, but if she can do both well then she is marrying material even if she is a dork….

[DizzyDesii]

Im so confused lmao. See your “geek” is my nerd

[nawtee_me]

I see it as “the geek squad” the people at Best Buy that repair the computers. Nerds are the video game people. Of course dorks are like erkle…. Maybe not the right spelling

[DizzyDesii]

Okay geek squad makes sense. But i see nerds as urkel. I don't know what i’d refer to the gamer/anime people as. Probably just that

[nawtee_me]

So which do you come closer to fitting in with?

[DizzyDesii]

Im a nerd and i have a thing for nerds. I haven't dated a good nerd since 2019
tho. My guy sounds nerdy and he's very smart but he's the “know it all” type of nerd and thats a turnoff. Plus he doesn't look like a nerd. Just a hot mechanic

[nawtee_me]

And what is your favorite video game of all times? I know your are a movie nerd but you have to have a video game favorite too?

[DizzyDesii]

I hardly play games anymore but i like games that let me drive… so gta 3, SA, and 5…. NFS undercover… Forza horizon 3… mario kart 64

[dragoblack]

Nerd is knowing a lot about a subject; geek is knowing mathematics, science & chemistry; dork is someone who is smart, but will do dumb stuff to be funny.

[DizzyDesii]

Damn they all kinda sound alike

[dragoblack]

Kinda. It's easy to get geek & nerd mixed up because of how it is used in media. But geeks will fix your computer, do calculations, and understand chemistry. nerds will give you a list of shows that are really good, as well as a synopsis... also nerds tend to be crafters.
I tend to fall under both but lean more to nerd.
Dork tend to be smart but act dumb

[RoseySarah]

It's about them socially not iq. Some one dumb can be all 3.

It's like asking what exactly a gamer is. Some would say that your puzzles make you a gamer not geeky or nerdy.

[DizzyDesii]

Wow thats differentt

[RoseySarah]

Thanks?

[AviatorTom]

Don McMillan, engineer comedian, explains Nerd vs Geek vs Dork in this video, about 1:30 into the video...

https://www.youtube.com/embed/kwz-Md6OoyA

[Girlsontop]

I remember seeing him on AGT once he was hilarious 😂

[Anonymous]

Nerds are mainly the people who are into knowledge, not just comics/games. Really intelligent people are never teachers' pets. That's middle-level intelligence that just scores well. If you really know about different subjects, soon you will be in arguments with your professors. Let me tell you, those professors also want that not the teacher's pet.

[DizzyDesii]

I only know one teacher who enjoyed the arguments/debates. That was the philosophy teacher in college. But no The rest of my teachers in HS and college spoiled me. I didn't have to kiss ass. I just had to do the classwork. The rest of the class rebelled so it was pretty easy for me to become their favorite

[Opinion Owner]

HS teachers aren't generally that smart, most college teachers aren't also unless they are from top unis. Actual intelligent professors who know the subjects properly and prefer students who can argue with them with proper citations and logic are incredibly rare. Although I do know some and have interacted with some others, some of them are Nobel Laureates. When I was searching for professors to do research, I had so much hard time finding proper professors who knew the actual physics, not just people who read the subject from some books.

[wiltingrosepetal]

Judging off of this chart, I'll say nerd

[DizzyDesii]

Yea i saw that on google too