zpostcode
geek
Apr 11, 2025 9:43 PM

  

geek1

  The Big Bang Theory Actors Jim Parsons (left) and Johnny Galecki as the geeky characters Sheldon Cooper and Leonard Hofstadter, respectively, in the television comedy series The Big Bang Theory (2007–19). (more) geek Ask the Chatbot a Question Ask the Chatbot a Question Written by Roland Martin Roland Martin is a freelance writer living in San Francisco. Roland Martin Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Nov 26, 2024 • Article History Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask the Chatbot a Question { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What is the origin of the word geek? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "The word geek is believed to have derived from the Dutch word gek or the Low or Middle German word geck, both of which meant u201Cfool.u201D" } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " How did the word geek become associated with technology? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "By the 1980s geek described someone more interested in technology than in socializing. In the 1990s, with the rise of personal computers (PCs), it became a term for those with impressive technical skills, such as computer programmers, hackers, and PC pioneers Bill Gates and Steve Jobs." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " How has u201Cgeek cultureu201D influenced mainstream media? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "In the late 20th and early 21st centuries geeks featured as major characters in TV shows and films such as The Big Bang Theory (2007u201319). Interests that were formerly considered u201Cgeeky,u201D such as comic books and science fiction, spawned multimillion-dollar movie franchises, making geek culture mainstream." } } ] } Top Questions What is the origin of the word geek? The word geek is believed to have derived from the Dutch word gek or the Low or Middle German word geck, both of which meant “fool.”

  How did the word geek become associated with technology? By the 1980s geek described someone more interested in technology than in socializing. In the 1990s, with the rise of personal computers (PCs), it became a term for those with impressive technical skills, such as computer programmers, hackers, and PC pioneers Bill Gates and Steve Jobs.

  How has “geek culture” influenced mainstream media? In the late 20th and early 21st centuries geeks featured as major characters in TV shows and films such as The Big Bang Theory (2007–19). Interests that were formerly considered “geeky,” such as comic books and science fiction, spawned multimillion-dollar movie franchises, making geek culture mainstream.

  geek, a word used to describe a person who is socially awkward and unpopular, usually because of the person’s perceived intelligence. This definition entered the modern American lexicon in the mid-20th century and is used somewhat interchangeably with the term nerd. However, geek also has a more positive connotation as a person who has a particular interest in or expert knowledge of a certain field, especially technology. The first known appearance in print of the word geek is found in Capt. John Harland’s A Glossary of Words Used in Swaledale, Yorkshire (1873), where it is listed as “Gawk, Geek, Gowk, ...(100 of 1318 words)

  Access the full article Help support true facts by becoming a member and get 50% off this Black Friday. Subscribe today!

Comments
Welcome to zpostcode comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Recommend >
Wham!
     Wham! George Michael (left) and Andrew Ridgeley formed Wham! in the early 1980s. The duo became one of the most successful Britpop bands of the era. (more) Wham! British musical duo Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/Wham Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/Wham Also known as: Wham! UK Written by...
Big Dig
     Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge The Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge, a cable-stayed bridge completed in 2003, spanning the Charles River in Boston. The bridge was built as part of the Big Dig project, the largest and most expensive highway infrastructure project in American history. (more) Big Dig tunnel project, Boston, Massachusetts, United States Actions...
Ayşenur Eygi
  Ayşenur Eygi Turkish-American activist Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/biography/Aysenur-Eygi Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/biography/Aysenur-Eygi Also known as: Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi Written by Tara Ramanathan Assistant Technology Editor at Encyclopedia Britannica. Tara Ramanathan Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have...
milpa
     Three sisters Corn, squash, and beans planted together in a traditional Indigenous agricultural system known as milpa, or Three Sisters. (more) milpa agricultural system Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/science/three-sisters Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/science/three-sisters Also known as: Three Sisters Written by Michele Metych Michele has a B.A. in...
Information Recommendation
HMS Hood
     HMS Hood The Royal Navy's battle cruiser HMS Hood in American waters, circa June–July 1924. The Hood was traveling around the world as part of the “Empire Cruise.” (more) HMS Hood British ship Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/HMS-Hood Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/HMS-Hood Written by Rebecca M. Kulik...
Demographics of the United States
     Independence Day Children marching in a Fourth of July parade. (more) Demographics of the United States Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/Demographics-of-the-United-States Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/Demographics-of-the-United-States Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether...
Amundsen Sea
     Thwaites Glacier and Pine Island Glacier Glaciers are prominent features in West Antarctica. The Thwaites Glacier has the largest ocean front of any glacier in the world, extending roughly 75 miles (120 km). (more) Amundsen Sea sea, Southern Ocean Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/place/Amundsen-Sea Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL...
the Spinners
     The Spinners, c. 1970 In the 1970s the Spinners produced one hit song after another, including “It's a Shame” and “I'll Be Around.” (more) the Spinners American vocal group Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/biography/the-Spinners Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/biography/the-Spinners Also known as: the Detroit Spinners, the Motown Spinners...
persistence hunting
     Possible persistence hunters Some members of the human lineage, including Australopithecus afarensis, Homo habilis, Homo erectus, Homo neanderthalensis, and Homo sapiens. (more) persistence hunting human predation Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/persistence-hunting Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/persistence-hunting Also known as: endurance hunting Written by Teagan Wolter Teagan Wolter is...
Alia Bhatt
     Indian actress Alia Bhatt Bollywood star Alia Bhatt at the Met Gala, New York City, 2024. (more) Alia Bhatt Indian actress Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/biography/Alia-Bhatt Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/biography/Alia-Bhatt Written by Gitanjali Roy Gitanjali Roy is senior editor, Encyclopaedia Britannica. She has over two decades of...
doxing
     Doxing The act of exposing private or identifying information about an individual or group, usually online, without the person's or group's consent is often called “doxing.” (more) doxing Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/doxing Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/doxing Also known as: doxxing Written by Jacob Stovall Jacob Stovall...
whale vocalization
     sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) The largest of the toothed whales in the world are sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus), which are easily recognized by their enormous square head and narrow lower jaw. (more) whale vocalization animal behavior Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/science/whale-vocalization Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/science/whale-vocalization Also known...