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The term “nerd” can be used positively or negatively to describe someone with a strong aptitude in science, math, and computer science who may be socially awkward or out of step with popular culture. The term has been around since the 1950s and was popularized by the TV show Happy Days. Some famous ex-nerds, like Bill Gates, have disproved the negative stereotype. There is a growing respect for nerds, reflected in events like Spain’s Nerd Pride Day. Studies suggest that nerdism may be linked to recognized learning disabilities.
Nerd is a term that can be used with pride, or one that can be used in a derogatory sense. A nerd is typically a person of any race who has a strong aptitude in science, mathematics, and particularly computer science, and who may also be seen as out of step with popular culture in matters of clothing, or who is socially embarrassing. The nerd designation can simply be applied to a person whose uniqueness sets them apart from what is considered the “norm,” for no particular reason. The term is first mentioned in Dr. Seuss’ book, If I Ran the Zoo, published in 1950.
From the 1950s onward, use of the term nerd increased, although drip, square, and egghead may have been more popular as synonyms to describe nerds. It is unclear how much the television series Happy Days has contributed to general culture in the United States and elsewhere, but it has brought the term into extraordinary use by the average person, since it has been used so often in the series. Since Happy Days, most people interpret the term nerd as described in the previous paragraph.
Sometimes people try to change the name and add other descriptions to nerds. For example, science nerds are the people most proficient in the sciences, while music nerds can be those people in high school and middle school or middle school who devote most of their free time to music. Both types of nerds tend to express high math skills; there is a strong connection between musical ability and mathematical ability.
As first used in Happy Days, the term was far from flattering. He pointed out the social awkwardness of people and suggested that an interest in science or mathematics was something to be ashamed of. Some famous ex-nerds have certainly proved the lie of this hypothesis. Bill Gates, now one of the richest men on the planet, has used his science nerd skills to great effect, and the perception of being interested and innovative in the sciences can now be viewed with positivism rather than censure. Many nerds and non-nerds alike aspire to the path of Bill Gates.
There are also some interesting studies linking high functioning Asperger’s, nonverbal learning disorder, and high functioning autism to nerdism. By nature, people with these conditions tend to have extreme problems in social situations and can misunderstand others’ speech, range of expressions, and things like sarcasm, facial expression, and vocal inflection. However, these people also tend to be extremely skilled in the sciences. This suggests that nerd-focused discrimination may indeed be discrimination against several recognized learning disabilities and makes people wonder whether using the term in a derogatory way is by nature extremely offensive.
On the other hand, there are now a lot of kids who think that being a nerd is something to aspire to. For a while, fashion embraced nerdy chic. Some teachers and educators wish they could do more to inspire students to become nerds, but if the true nerd is based on a learning disability, this may not be possible. There is, however, a growing respect for this skilled and invaluable member of society, which is reflected in events such as Spain’s Nerd Pride Day, which has been celebrated since 2006.
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