geef
= G =
geek code
geek
n.
A person who has chosen concentration
rather than conformity; one who pursues skill (especially technical
skill) and imagination, not mainstream social acceptance. Geeks
usually have a strong case of neophilia. Most geeks are adept
with computers and treat hacker as a term of respect, but not
all are hackers themselves - and some who are in fact
hackers normally call themselves geeks anyway, because they (quite
properly) regard `hacker' as a label that should be bestowed by
others rather than self-assumed.
One description
accurately if a little breathlessly enumerates "gamers, ravers,
science fiction fans, punks, perverts, programmers, nerds,
subgenii, and trekkies. These are people who did not go to their
high school proms, and many would be offended by the suggestion
that they should have even wanted to."
Originally, a `geek' was a carnival performer who bit the heads
off chickens. Before about 1990 usage of this term was rather
negative. Earlier versions of this lexicon defined a `computer
geek' as one who eats (computer) bugs for a living - an asocial,
malodorous, pasty-faced monomaniac with all the personality of a
cheese grater. This is often still the way geeks are regarded by
non-geeks, but as the mainstream culture becomes more dependent on
technology and technical skill mainstream attitudes have tended to
shift towards grudging respect. Correspondingly, there are now
`geek pride' festivals (the implied reference to `gay pride' is not
accidental).
See also propeller head, clustergeeking, geek out,
wannabee, terminal junkie, spod, weenie,
geek code.
--The Jargon File version 4.3.1, ed. ESR, autonoded by rescdsk.