Nerd - - The other "N" word

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Is "Nerd" for us "Spectrum Riders" an N-word? It is to me! It did major life damage!

"Nerd" is one of the few labels that I wear proudly!

Perhaps only nerds should be allowed to refer to other people as nerds.

If you watch TV nerd is used in a somewhat flattering way (Pawn Stars - Rebecca is a book nerd because she knows alot about books; Rick refers to himself as a history nerd because he knows alot about history) The word I myself find offensive is the "r" word (retard) You don't hear people saying "I'm a retard" because that word has such a negative connotation whereas nerd does not.

Does anyone under 40 still use the word Nerd. Seems very 80s.

I was thinking that too.

I've heard nerd used more positively than negatively lately. It's been pretty thoroughly reclaimed.

I love the word "nerd" and often use it I consider it a compliment for sure.

I don't know about "nerd" because I'm a dork.

My experience of the "nerd word" was all very negative, very threatening, oddly damning(??), and the focus/center of bullied times. It was
the 50's rough rural and military worlds where nerdy was a "damning forever sin." I'm starting to learn hfc as a replacement . . . maybe. It doesn't touch "of the damned" fear yet!

I think in the 90s it had a bad connotation. Like saying you are a "good for nothing" or a social outcast. Nowadays it is used commonly by a lot of people to refer to themselves. I am still not fond of it because of the trauma it brought me however.

In my High School years is was an insult for sure, nerd, terd, dork, what have you.
But by the late 90ies nerd started to become more positive, being one was a sign of wealth, creativity and success.

/Mats

I remember a movie called Revenge of the Nerds. I don't remember much though.

Other words, dork, geek, dweeb, have these had an impact like nerd?

I like the word these days. I didn't when I was younger and cared more about what others think of me.