What is "nerd"

1951, U.S. student slang, probably an alteration of 1940s slang nert "stupid or crazy person," itself an alteration of nut. The word turns up in a Dr. Seuss book from 1950 ("If I Ran the Zoo"), which may have contributed to its rise.

n. 1 (context slang sometimes derogatory English) A person who is intellectual but generally introverted 2 (context informal sometimes derogatory English) One who has an intense, obsessive interest in something. 3 (context slang always derogatory English) An unattractive, socially awkward, annoying, undesirable, and/or boring, person; a dork. 4 (context post 1980s English) A member of a subculture revolving around a mixture video games, fantasy fiction, science fiction, comic books and assorted media.

n. an insignificant student who is ridiculed as being affected or studying excessively [syn: swot, grind, wonk, dweeb]

Nerd (adjective: nerdy) is a descriptive term, often used pejoratively, indicating a person that is overly intellectual, obsessive, or lacking social skills. Such a person may spend inordinate amounts of time on unpopular, obscure, or non- mainstream activities, which are generally either highly technical, abstract, or relating to topics of fiction or fantasy, to the exclusion of more mainstream activities. Additionally, many nerds are described as being shy, quirky, pedantic, and unattractive, and may have difficulty participating in, or even following, sports. Though originally derogatory, "Nerd" is a stereotypical term, but as with other pejoratives, it has been reclaimed and redefined by some as a term of pride and group identity.

Nerd is a term for a person who is intellectually knowledgeable or bright, but socially inept.

Nerd or nerds may also refer to:

In entertainment:

• The Nerd, a Broadway comedy play written by American actor/playwright Larry Shue
• The Nerds, a series of Saturday Night Live sketches
• The Angry Video Game Nerd or The Nerd, a web series that started in 2006
• N.E.R.D.S. (film), an upcoming film produced by Rocket Pictures
• FC Nerds, reality television sports franchise
• Nerds FC, an Australian television documentary featuring soccer
• N.E.R.D, a rock/hip hop group fronted by Pharrell Williams
• A fictional creature from Dr. Seuss's If I Ran the Zoo

Other uses:

• NeRD, Navy eReader Device, e-reader developed by the United States Navy
• Nonerosive reflux disease, a form of gastroesophageal reflux disease
• NERDS syndrome, Nodules–eosinophilia–rheumatism–dermatitis–swelling syndrome
• NERD (sabermetrics), a baseball statistic
• NERD, a science and technology journal published by students of the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur
• Nerds (candy), a candy
• New England Research and Development Center, a Microsoft office in Cambridge, Massachusetts
• Nintendo European Research & Development, a software developer
• NERD (television production company), a company set up by 'Survivor' creator Charlie Parsons
• Nerds (candy)

In baseball statistics, NERD (a wink towards the mnemonic "Narration, Exposition, Reflection, Description") is a quantitative measure of expected aesthetic value. NERD was originally created by Carson Cistulli and is part of his project of exploring the "art" of sabermetric research. The original NERD formula only took into account the pitcher's expected performance while the current model factors in the entire team's performance.

For the funk and hip hop band, see N.E.R.D.

NERD (New Entertainment Research & Design) is a British television production company founded in 2010 by Jago Lee and John Farrar. The company specialises in formatted and scripted entertainment for the UK and US markets.

In March 2010 The Guardian newspaper reported that the EMMY award winning Survivor creator Charlie Parsons was investing in NERD (MediaGuardian.co.uk, 25 March 2010), and had become the company's Chairman.

In May 2012 " The Hollywood Reporter" reported that Red Arrow, a subsidiary of German broadcaster Proseiben Sat.1, had bought a majority stake in NERD from Charlie Parsons Creative.