Re: On nerds and dreamers

> On the list of interesting facts that haven't come to light yet,
> "nerd" is a Greek word meaning "enlightened" (or so I've been told by
> a Greek person who used to role-play on my MUD), and a "geek"
Before the flames come rollling in, I don't mean to imply anything
about the etymology of the word "nerd".  Nor can I vouch its accuracy
since I was, after all, talking to a role player, probably of the
prepubescent variety.  To be fair, here's a more official etymology a
friend provided:

"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. Adjective nerdy is from 1978."
-- http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=nerd

Kris Kowal.
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(watch the reply to)