So, a conversation with some fellow …well, I don’t know what they are, because that’s just the problem…led me to believe that much like anything in language, terms for the socially-inept-but-intelligently-endowed-often-enjoying-science-and-fiction-and-the-combination-of-the-two subset of culture are not unanimously agreed upon.

Not clear?  How about this…no one can agree on the definition and heirarchy of the words GEEK, NERD, or DORK.

It appears we have various impressions of what these words mean, and we also have varying degrees of who belongs in which category.  So, here is our little experiment - please help us if you can!

1. What do you call yourself?
2. What is the heirarchy of “coolness” of these terms?
3. What do these terms mean to you?

Dictionary.com and Webster.com have varying definitions:

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Dork Dictionary.com says noun Slang.

1.	a stupid or ridiculous person; jerk; nerd.

 (Dictionary.com also infers that Dork is a euphemism for a vulgar word that sounds similar.  Webster indicates that the etymology of Dork might come from said vulgar word.)

Webster says  

slang : nerd; also : jerk 4a

Geek

Dictionary.com says Slang. –noun

1.	a peculiar or otherwise dislikable person, esp. one who is perceived to be overly intellectual.

2.	a computer expert or enthusiast (a term of pride as self-reference, but often considered offensive when used by outsiders.)

3.	a carnival performer who performs sensationally morbid or disgusting acts, as biting off the head of a live chicken.

Webster says  

1 : a carnival performer often billed as a wild man whose act usually includes biting the head off a live chicken or snake
2 : a person often of an intellectual bent who is disliked
3 : an enthusiast or expert especially in a technological field or activity <computer geek>

Nerd

Dictionary.com says noun Slang.

1.	a stupid, irritating, ineffectual, or unattractive person.

2.	an intelligent but single-minded person obsessed with a nonsocial hobby or pursuit: a computer nerd.

Also, nurd.

Webster says  

: an unstylish, unattractive, or socially inept person; especially : one slavishly devoted to intellectual or academic pursuits <computer nerds>

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So, the summary of those definitions appears to be the following:

• Nerds and Geeks are generally intellectual, whereas Dorks are stupid and equatable with jerks.
• Dork is the only definition with a comedy effect.  (ridiculous person)  This may explain its use by the Geek/Nerd community.
• Geek actually used to be a guy that bit the head off a chicken.
• Nerds are unattractive and obsessed with intellectual pursuits (Jean-Paul Sartre would fall in here then).
• Geek is the only one that references it can be a self-given title.

So, do these connect with what you understand of these terms?  How do they differ?  Do you ever use the terms for certain purposes, such as intimacy or humor?  (as in, say your girlfriend says a silly joke - do you lovingly call her a dork?)

Want my opinion?  Of course you do!

1. I am a Geek by personal definition.
2. Coolness level for me has always been Geek/Nerd/Dork.
3. Geek-ness usually meant interest in social geek activities such as watching science fiction, gaming, computers, and more.  Nerds did much of the same, but often had less of an understanding of social graces, perhaps were a little more intense in their following of certain things. I.e., Geeks watch some anime (perhaps grew up on Robotech) but Nerds watch it obsessively.  Dorks are social outcasts that try too hard, don’t “get it”, and don’t really belong. Dorks usually tried to like the same stuff as a certain group just to fit into that group, not because they really liked it.

Please note that I have not included Dweeb, Fatbeard, Knuckle-Dragging Mouth Breather or Basement Dweller.  These are negative labels used inside and outside the Geek/Nerd community as sub-categories, and are pretty obvious to detect.  Dweeb might be able to have its own discussion, but it is my experience that most people understand that it is a negative term.