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Everyone's a nerd about something. What are you a nerd about? (lemmy.world)

submitted 8 months ago by TheGoonch@lemmy.world to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world

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I know it's an unpopular opinion given current circumstances, but I've always been a huge nerd about Russia. The history, the geography, the music, etc. And as an American, I've always found it fascinating how U.S.-Russian relations have fluctuated over time. We've gone from allies, to enemies, to frenemies. This doesn't mean I support Z or Putin, of course. What are you a nerd about?

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[-] xor@infosec.pub 4 points 8 months ago

i'm a nerd about still thinking being a nerd should refer to intellectual pursuits and not just about liking something a lot...

[-] callyral@pawb.social 5 points 8 months ago

my interpretation is that a nerd is someone who knows a lot about a thing they really like.

[-] qooqie@lemmy.world 5 points 8 months ago

Is it not intellectual to like something a lot and dive head first into it and learn as much as possible about it? Wanting to learn about something starts off with a spark of passion

[-] xor@infosec.pub 2 points 8 months ago

Russian turn of the century history buff? yes.
Star Wars fandom universe? no.
i mean, im happy for anyone to enjoy what they enjoy... i just don't think that's what nerd ever meant.
but words change, so whatever... i just remember when i was a nerd for liking math and computer programming...
now i'm not a nerd because i don't wear costumes and such...

[-] Evkob@lemmy.ca 3 points 8 months ago

Both definitions of nerd have co-existed for decades now. "Nerd" on its own is used as you described, a person devoted to intellectual, academic, or technical pursuits or interests.

However, if you scroll down a bit, you'll see:

also : a person preoccupied with or devoted to a particular activity or field of interest

So a "something" nerd, e.g. a theatre nerd, Star Wars nerd, or what have you, is distinct from using "nerd" on its own. Both definitions are equally valid and widely-understood.

Linguistic prescriptivism is lame #DescriptivistGang😎

[-] xor@infosec.pub 1 points 8 months ago

i don't know why you dropped a dictionary link when i didn't disagree with the meaning...
yes, i know how it's used now... it's fine, really... just mildly annoying...
like, the movie "Revenge of the Nerds" had zero to do with this other, newer usage...
which again, is fine, words change in meaning over time...

this post was submitted on 10 Feb 2024

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