What is the difference between a geek and a nerd?

Nerd is insulting

Geek is flattering

At least that’s how I view it. I’ve always been quite fond of an old definition that used to be on wikipedia…

A geek (pronunciation /gi:k/ ) is a person who is fascinated, perhaps obsessively, by obscure or very specific areas of knowledge and imagination.

Sounds pretty good to me.

A Nerd to me is someone who lets their intelligence get in the way of living life, not drive it.

Semantics, I believe.

A geek gets it done and a nerd doesn’t.

that’s what i saw in a software ad anyway

Typically I see “nerd” as a more negative thing, while “geek” is basically neutral.

There are some people who try to define it as one of them is big into Star Trek and World of Warcraft, while the other is into Calculus and Physics, etc. Here’s one example http://militantgeek.com/2006/12/21/geek-vs-nerd-vs-dork/
But if you go to another website, you may end up seeing the exact opposite.

A nerd and geek are basically the same thing. But a nerd lacks any social abilities. Thus the reason it is considered worse by many.

@Sarcasm Thanks for the link. That table really solidified any ideas I had.

edit: I basically gave the same answer here:
http://www.fluther.com/disc/5163/whats-the-difference-between-a-nerd-a-geek-and-a-dork/#quip109408

Mostly just the spelling.

Well, it also depends upon which type of geek is being referenced. See below.

the term geek has been around in popular usage a whole lot longer than nerd. And it had a far different connotation at the turn of the century than it does now. You really don’t see much of the original types of geeks around anymore. They have now been replaced by ridiculous reality show contestants. :)

But, here’s some examples of the real deal geeks of yore. I doubt that anyone would confuse them with nerds. :)...........Enjoy.

http://www.coneyisland.com/per.scott.shtml

http://www.coneyisland.com/per.donny.shtml

http://www.thelizardman.com/

A nerd doesn’t showcase any social manners. Picks nose, greasy hair, and doesn’t understand that something need to be done to make you socially acceptable.

A geek has the smarts of a nerd, but knows how to act around other people. Might not have the “charm” but knows not to be offensive.

I guess my definitions go back a bit further that the typical Jelly:

Geek originally meant a circus performer who did something disgusting, while a
Nerd is somebody without social skills who is into technology.

So, to me, Geek is a more negative term than Nerd.

I doubt that Lizardman would agree with the “negative term” characterization.

He seems to carry it with pride. :)

A geek is a nerd who also owns countless useless gadgets such as USB pole dancers and Wi-Fi detector T-shirts.