1. The Changing Connotations of the Words Nerd and Geek Rose Crooks & Brandon Fink From this To this

2. Introduction • John Green, co-founder of the Nerdfighters2009 Quote

3. Nerdcore Artists

4. Connotation and Amelioration • Connotation is the social meaning of a word, what it means to people rather than a dictionary definition (Oxford English Dictionary Online, ed., n.d.). • Amelioration is defined as a change in connotation, an improvement, a word becoming associated with more positive things (Oxford English Dictionary Online, ed., n.d.)

5. The Questions • Is there evidence to assume that the words are in the process of amelioration? • Is there a definition difference between nerd and geek? • How does gender, major or career, and first language influence the definition of nerd and geek?

6. Method • The Survey: • Part 1 - Biographical information • Part 2 - 8 questions about different types of people, Would they be considered : • Nerd/geek • Gender • How they feel about this person • Part 3 – Question 9, self identification – yes/no Why?

7. Example question 8. A person who attends scifi/fantasy conventions in costume. Circle which word you would apply to this person: Nerd Geek Both Neither This person is most likely: Female Male Other___ Circle the picture that best represents your feeling about this person:

8. 70 participants from • 5 upper division classes • 67 students and 3 teachers • 25 male, 43 female, 2 not indicated. • Age Groups: • (43) 18-24 • (12) 25-30 • (8) 31-35 • (7) above 35

9. Categorizing Results • Question 9 (Self-Identification Question): feelings towards words nerd and geek • Questions 1 – 8: supplemental information.

10. Categories • Respondents with generally negative responses • Reaction against stereotype. • No Response (to question 9) • ~ half more negative • ~ half more positive • Respondents with generally positive responses • Self-identified using the word nerd • Self-identified using the word geekin their description. • Self-identified as both a nerd, and a geek, or said: “Yes” and went on to describe.

11. Conclusion • Is amelioration happening? • Yes, 67% of responses positive. • Both negative and positive connotations (No response group) still exist, • the meanings are still in flux • Definition difference? • Words seem to be used interchangeably • Does gender, major or career, first language influence the definition ? • Age may have some affect • No conclusion for: gender, first language, major • Sample group limited

12. Projection • The words nerd and geek will continue to ameliorate (become completely positive) • The definitions will continue to merge

13. In an echo of John Green’s Quote: “I feel like when you are passionate enough about something that it doesn't matter what other people think, you could call yourself a nerd.” (Quote from survey respondent)