If you make me wear that, ill look like a total dork. The word geek is a slang term originally used to describe eccentric or nonmainstream people. Bookworm definition is a person unusually devoted to reading and study. Seuss book, but it showed up just a year later in college slang meaning an uncool person, leading to mystery over its true origins. Definition definition of definition by merriamwebster. Being an enthusiast of unabridged dictionaries, i can express my overall opinion in saying that the 1986 edition is about as close to the 1957 edition as it can get. Im ecstatic that you set down your current book to read this article about books. All orders are custom made and most ship worldwide within 24 hours. Adrienne raphel on the lexicographer kory stampers book word by word. Clear explanations of natural written and spoken english. Definition of nerd merriamwebsters student dictionary. Nerd dictionary definition nerd defined yourdictionary. Seuss book, but it showed up just a year later in college slang meaning an uncool person, leading to.
Nerd definition and meaning collins english dictionary. Kory stamper reveals the secret life of dictionaries in her book word by. High quality dictionary definition inspired acrylic blocks by independent artists and designers from around the world. Seuss book from 1950 if i ran the zoo, which may have contributed to its rise. Websters third new international dictionary of the english language unabridged, under the editorial of philip babcock gove, ph. Ambrose forms an unlikely friendship with the troubled twentyfiveyearold son of the greek.
If you say that someone is a nerd, you mean that they are stupid or ridiculous. Define geek by websters dictionary, wordnet lexical database, dictionary of computing, legal dictionary, medical dictionary, dream dictionary. According to the merriam webster and myself a nerd is we are here, we are awkward, and we love what we do. Nerd definition, a person considered to be socially awkward, boring, unstylish, etc. Nerd definition for englishlanguage learners from merriam. Nerd definition in the cambridge english dictionary. The word comes from english dialect geek or geck meaning a fool or freak. Geek definition is a person often of an intellectual bent who is disliked. The definition of a geek is a slang word for a computer expert, someone who loves computers or someone who is socially or physically awkward. Definition of nerd written for english language learners from the merriamwebster learners dictionary with audio pronunciations, usage examples, and. Nerd is a slang term for a socially awkward person who excels in science or technology.
The first documented appearance of the word nerd is as the name of a creature in dr. Seuss in his 1950 book if i ran the zoo, although not in the sense that we use today. Kory stamper, a merriamwebster lexicographer, in a basement. Although websters work was honored, his big dictionaries had never sold well. A journey into the merriamwebster word factory the new york. The books narrator lists various imaginary creatures that he would keep in the. The secret life of dictionaries, and on merriamwebsters adaptation to. The interest will in most times be added before nerd. Definition definition is a statement of the meaning of a word or word group or a sign or symbol. And provides business customers with a full range of services, including dedicated highspeed access, web hosting, server colocation and domain name registration and hosting. Information and translations of nerd in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on. Nerd definition is an unstylish, unattractive, or socially inept person. Ive looked up some crazy obscure words many times, and miraculously this little book has every friekin obscure word in the english language.
Synonyms for nerd at with free online thesaurus, antonyms, and definitions. The nerd word was one i was called, and used against others but i never looked up what it really meant. We use cookies to enhance your experience on our website, including to provide targeted advertising and track usage. A selfdescribed friendless nerd, he moves from place to place every couple of years with his overprotective mother, irene. Define book by websters dictionary, wordnet lexical database, dictionary of computing, legal dictionary, medical dictionary, dream dictionary. Finally, with his description of the first conference of science fiction fans philadelphia, 1936, nugent serves up some nerd facts. Twelveyearold ambrose is a glasshalffull kind of guy. Nasdaq provides a wide array of internet services tailored to meet the needs of individual and business customers. They are people who often like video games or comics ect.
Book definition of book by websters online dictionary. Whenever nomes starts talking about her favorite topic, thats when you know you are talking to a history nerd. The first known occurrence of the word nerd, undefined but illustrated, dates from 1950 and is found in if i ran. Websters son william also served as an editor of that first merriamwebster dictionary, which was published on september 24, 1847. From olde english dogs, to immoral women, to weak men, to irritating women, to its prideful reclaiming, to ownership over a woman theres a theme here, the word btch has a long and.
Based on merriamwebsters collegiate dictionary, eleventh edition. The first known occurrence of the word nerd, undefined but illustrated, dates from 1950 and is found in if i ran the zoo, a childrens book by dr. Here are some of the biggest theories as to how nerd got its start. From cambridge english corpus these examples are from the cambridge english corpus and from sources on the web. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more. Kory stamper, a lexicographer here, is very much part of the vanguard of wordnerd. Its slang to call someone smart, ugly, and a social mess. Merriamwebster dictionary mentions the 1950 book if i ran the zoo in its etymology as the leading contender as source for the term.
Definition of nerd merriamwebsters student thesaurus. Dork definition, a silly, outoftouch person who tends to look odd or behave ridiculously around others. Definition of nerd noun in oxford advanced learners dictionary. Nerd is a slang term for a socially awkward person who excels in. Looping, repetition, speed and the quick, brutal editing of phrases, structure the material to remind the listener of the edgy environment of the computer nerd. From longman dictionary of contemporary english related topics. All definitions are approved by humans before publishing. The earliest known citation of nerd is from a 1950 dr. Definition of nerd written for english language learners from the merriam webster learners dictionary with audio pronunciations, usage examples, and countnoncount noun labels.
A lexicographers memoir of merriamwebster in the internet age. The book gains authority in tracing the word nerd to a. Seusss book if i ran the zoo 1950, in which the narrator gerald mcgrew claims that he would collect a nerkle, a nerd, and a seersucker too for his imaginary zoo. Definition of nerd written for english language learners from the merriamwebster learners dictionary with audio pronunciations, usage examples, and countnoncount noun labels. A person who is singleminded or accomplished in scientific or technical pursuits but is felt to be socially inept. The origin of the term is sometimes attributed to an angry little man in dr. Websters new world college dictionary, fifth edition copyright 2014 by. Websters third new international dictionary by philip. I like to read before bed and just cant stand having my phone by me to look up words online. Top synonym for nerd another word for nerd is geek.
Seuss in his 1950 book if i ran the zoo, although not in the sense that. The books narrator lists various imaginary creatures that he would keep in the zoo if he were allowed to run it, whatever objections other people might raise to his projects. Scifi was no longer a private niche of films and comic books, known only to fans of. According to the merriamwebster dictionary, the definition of nerd is an unstylish, unattractive, or socially inept person. The dictionary by merriam webster is americas most trusted online dictionary for english word definitions, meanings, and pronunciation. Stamper notes in the book that the definition has nothing to do with a merriamwebster political agenda and everything to do with the way in which the word was already being used in the world. Everyone knows a book nerd, and if you dont, you should. Geek definition, a digitaltechnology expert or enthusiast a term of pride as. Why the geeks will inherit the earth he suggests that the. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1, 2, or 3 months new customers. Book nerds are a different, emotional, special, obsessive, yet intelligent breed of nerds.
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