看过the Big Bang Theory的人就知道那个电视剧里的4个男主角都是非常典型的NERD，用中文来说就是书呆子。NERD是的有点贬义的词，很多中国孩子都被视为NERD型的。但是也有很多人并不在乎自己被称为NERD。IVY的这篇文章读下来我才发现我对NERD的了解太少了，原来里面还有这么多种。而且来龙去脉说得还清清楚楚， 真的是一篇呆子大全！ 很有写论文的范儿啊。 相信读下来以后你会对the Big Bang Theory的背景更加有深刻的体会了。要注意英文里NERD和GEEK的意思是差不多的。我没有翻译因为一些人想看看美国孩子的英文作业是什么样的。

What is a “nerd”?

A. What is the definition for “nerd”?

1. –noun  Slang .an intelligent but single-minded person obsessed with a nonsocial hobby or pursuit

 2. - n

a boring or unpopular person, especially one obsessed with something specified

B. What makes someone a nerd?

1. A nerd is, as the definition describes, someone who has a hobby or pursuit that is usually done alone and considered somewhat “nonconformist”. Someone who is only interested in, for example, sports, shopping, or partying would not be a nerd.

2. A person’s idea of a nerd depends on who the person is. The second definition depicts a nerd as a boring person, but a nerd is more likely to find another nerd interesting. Whoever wrote the definition is probably a non-nerd or a nerd trying to write from the perspective of a non-nerd so that a non-nerd audience could comprehend it with more ease. The typical nerd can be seen from the views of both nerd and non-nerd [a term I created just now just for convenience].)

II. What does being a nerd today mean?     

A. The idea of a nerd has changed over time and it is seen in both positive and negative ways. So when someone uses the word “nerd” what is the intent behind it? Well, when nerds call themselves a nerd, it is usually in a proud way. Also, when a nerd calls someone else a nerd, it is in a positive way. However, when a non-nerd calls another person a nerd, whether the target is nerd or not, it is meant to be derisive. Basically, nerds have a sense of pride in who they are but non-nerds don’t see nerdiness as a thing to be proud of and use the term as an insult.

B. Second, there isn’t an exact line that determines whether a person can be classified as a nerd. Like most other ways you can classify a person, there’s probably a varying degree of nerdiness in everyone, so no one exactly is a complete nerd or non-nerd. Be careful and keep this in mind when you call someone a nerd.

III. What exactly do nerds like to do?

A. Actually, nerd hobbies are a very wide spectrum of activities. Since all nerds have at least one obsessive hobby, they are classified by that hobby. This section will explore the many different types of nerds. As for the… sub-species of nerds, there are so many that I will only list a few examples of each.

1. Info Nerds – These nerds are better known as the more intelligent nerds and closer to geeks. These actually all share a hobby of studying and learning, but they make up a large percentage of nerds and hold interest in different topics.

 a book nerd – very, very geeky type of nerd that probably brought upon the typical vintage-y image of a nerd/geek/anything similar to that: glasses, plaid pants that are worn too high, tucked in shirt, suspenders, an overall uncomfortable air (unless near fellow nerds) – and asking if one would like to join a study group.

b. computer nerd – pretty much the same as computer geek; knows very well the way of the computer; also usually studies some branch of computer technology, like programming, hacking, cracking software, building a computer, etc.

c. subject nerd – one of the most common nerds; studies a certain subject: math, science, languages, etc., so it includes just about every professional mathematician, scientist, and many others.

2. Controversy Nerds – They like to research the unknown and find out for themselves if something’s real. These nerds just have to explore such controversial things.

a. paranormal nerd – research things like ghosts and extraterrestrials; many are famous and have their own TV shows; let’s cut this short because I’m already scared just typing this.

b. undiscovered beast nerd – nerds that support things like Nessie and Bigfoot – they watch documentaries, read articles, even go out into the field themselves and collect data to find out whatever they can about these creatures; also popular on TV, especially Discovery channel and such.

c. mysterious areas nerd – research places where strange things happen or haven’t been found, like the Bermuda Triangle and Atlantis; although they may not have as many popular television series as the others, they do still have many documentaries.

3. Fandom Nerds – Another very common type of nerd, though not necessarily intelligent, these nerds love media – they are fans of certain movies, books, shows, comics, video games, etc. Some spend very (too) much time doing things like buying fan goods and cosplaying.

a. movie/book nerd – includes  Twihards and Pottermaniacs; they tend to have more crazy and devoted fans, and so they are often looked down upon by outsiders; also includes the older fans, like followers of the Trekdom.  

b. gamer nerd – nerds often seen by their computer or gaming system, this includes fans of games like Halo, Mario, many online MMORPGs, etc.; they are sometimes comically depicted as addicts.

c. TV show/animation nerd – nerds that are fans of certain television show, cartoons, and animes; includes Gleeks and Narutards; they like staying home and watching episodes of their favorite series on their computer.

4. Subculture Nerds – Nerds that stand out a bit more, they are part of certain subcultures and choose to have very different lifestyles.

a. fantasy/sci-fi nerd – nerd that does not necessarily read the genre - although it would be reasonable to think so - they embrace anything fantasy or sci-fi flavored; loves things like elves, magic, aliens, and robots (depending on which type they are) and have fun LARPing.

b. fashion subculture nerd – a looser classification of a nerd that dresses a certain way; includes nerds of punk, emo, goth, steampunk, clockpunk, lolita, and other fashions; a good example would be Tina from Glee.

5. Art Nerds – Artsy nerds excel in the performing arts, meaning theater, musical instruments, dance, and chorus and visual art itself.

 a. theater nerds – natural performer nerds that can usually act well; tend to dramatize their everyday conversation.

b. band nerd/geek and orch[estra] dorks – nerds that love their instruments and practice a lot; students that join band/orchestra because they want to, not just for field trips.

c. dancer/singer nerds – performer nerds that study singing or dancing, of course; seen practicing small movements or heard humming when there is limited activity.

d. visual nerds – nerds of every form of visual art: painters, sculptors, animators, cartoonists, digital artists, photographers, and everything else; often have a unique style of dressing up.

6. Miscellaneous Nerds – These are just nerds that don’t fit anywhere else. Also, the term “nerd” can be added to the end of just about any hobby to describe a person who likes the hobby.