nerd

1) One whose level of interest or skill in areas or fields not considered "mainstream" by the general public is extraordinary

2) One who has such interests, and devotes time enough to them to preculde participation in significant aspects of "mainstream" life.

USAGE NOTE--"Nerd" is differentiated from "geek" as follows--"geeks" are those who have extraordinary interest or skill in technology-related fields. While some nerds may also be geeks, and geeks may also be nerds, the intersection of the two sets of individuals is not equivalent to their union. The important thing to remember in differentiation is the impact the person's interests have on their life outside of those interests.

1) Wow, that nerd sure knows a lot about John Woo films.

2) Wow, that nerd spends so much time watching John Woo films, he doesn't leave his apartment except to go to work.

USAGE NOTE) Is that nerd a geek? No, he knows a lot about John Woo films, but not about technology.

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