Is 'Geek' a pejorative?

[Krill]

This PC doesn't have sound

What does the Video show

[CrONoS]

Originally posted by Krill
This PC doesn't have sound

What does the Video show

The most wonderful thing you ever heard. But you'll never ever could hear it... since, you don't have sound! (O.k., seriously i'm going to calm me down, I wrote too much stupidity tonight)

Seriously it was the the southpark episode about the George Clooney speech, electric car and smug?

[Krill]

No, I don't watch SP. I don't find it particulary funny. Blackadder, Monty Python, Red Dwarf, Terry Pratchett novels...that is the humour that I prefer to watch and read.

[b etor]

Originally posted by Cort Haus
excepted or accepted?

oh damn. i should not type and talk on the phone at once. i meant accepted

[Sprayber]

Originally posted by b etor
i geeks.

95% of Poly just wet themselves.

[Drake Tungsten]

Is 'Geek' a pejorative?

Yes, yes it is.

Most of poly are geeks.

Exhibit A...

[Arrian]

It is when you're a kid, or at least it was when I was a kid. I came to wear it with pride, once I found myself surrounded by a bunch of other geeks.

-Arrian

[Patroklos]

According to my 19-y.o. daughter, "geek" is a term she wears with great pride.

Girl geeks are differnet, a girl can get laid no matter what (for the most part).

And there are levels of geek. I like SW/ST and play video games and read nonfiction history books and sci fi. But I go drinking on the weekends, go to the gym 5 days a week, play soccer/kickball (more drinking) and get laid regularly.

I think the "geek" label cronos is talking about are the people who do geekie things AND never developed social skills.

[Solver]

I like SW/ST and play video games and read nonfiction history books and sci fi. But I go drinking on the weekends, go to the gym 5 days a week, play soccer/kickball (more drinking) and get laid regularly.

Just pretending to be a geek then, and poorly so

[Patroklos]

My mother was half geek.

[Cort Haus]

I find the word to be demeaning and mocking, though I understand how some of those to whom it may be applied might 'reclaim' the word as a positive label. This happens with many pejoratives.

To me, an ability to work with technology, and/or an interest in history are good things, and if scorn is directed at such people it would seem to say more about the shallowness, superficiality and intellectual laziness of those doing the mocking.

When someone dismissively says "Oi, geeks, come and fix my PC", what may be happening is that instead of having respect for the abilities of the people they want to help them, they are demeaning them by implying that they had to trade away social / sporting / sexual skill to gain the knowledge / understanding / attention to detail. This attack stems perhaps from jealousy of something they themselves lack.

I suppose there are stereotypes who might reinforce the prejudice, but there should be no reason why someone automatically cannot enjoy the best of both worlds.

[Q Classic]

"Geek" is a perjorative when not used by geeks. It's kinda like the n-word, or the term "chink".

The problem is people who have no business using it are using it to describe themselves, and not only is it misuse of the word, it's offensive. (cf. "fashion geek") It's like if I, a slanty Asian man, started referring to everyone as "my nigga".

****ing retarded is what it is.

[Heresson]

Re: Is 'Geek' a pejorative?

No. But "Greek" is

[Az]

My nigga Q^3 here brings up a very strong point - suddenly you can be an "anything" geek - a fashion geek, an extreme sports geek - everything. As long as you have a hobby which you are really into ( to the border of considering doing it professionally ), you're a "this" geek. Even past time activities which are considered socially accepted, or edgy.




I am a huuuuuuge heroin geek.

[Zkribbler]

Originally posted by Japher
i don't know what pejorative means

pejorative = having an insulting connotation.