defining moments

recently, a discussion with a french person occurred.  this is not a rare occasion for me since i manage to speak with the froggies on regular basis.

the discussion centered around the definitions of nerd, geek and dork.  for several of us who participated in the conversation, who use the terms somewhat regularly, who speak the english language fluently, who are quite proficient in one or two other languages, who are articulate, who are well-read, who are intelligent people, we had a hard time with this.  how do you define these terms?  when you can define one, how do you distinguish from the other?  and which category do you fit in?

so after much research that involved several dictionaries, including the oed, i have come to some conclusions.

a. nerds are studious and socially inept.  they are the true academics and have a strong thirst of knowledge.

b.  geeks are nerds but typically have an affinity for computers and technology.  they get excited when the new gadgets come out.

c.  dorks are generally silly goofs who enjoy doing things like playing games and spend their times doing things that are not necessarily trendy.

considering i went this evening to a lecture for a distinguished professor and then considered his points, laughed at his jokes, and reflected on what he said to a degree that some might consider disturbing, came home, chatted with my husband and then realized i should totally blog about it... i realized, i am a nerd.