word·nerd·dot·net
Wordnerd.net evolved from several conflicting ideas, a handful of half-realized hobbies and an amorphous self-improvement project considered near the end of 2002, mostly with this goal in mind: Write more, write better.
To that end, I’m reading the dictionary (the one on hand is Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, tenth edition) cover to cover this year, just for kicks. I used to know so many words! As I get older (and spend more time shortening my attention span through excessive Internet use), I can actually feel chunks of vocabulary slipping out from between the folds of my brain. With luck, they’re still sluicing around in my skull and need only to be wedged back into place for future use. I hope this helps.
I’ve always been interested in the history of words, especially names, but after a brief affair with the works of Bill Bryson, I went on to other pursuits. This year, I want to rediscover and revel in the dorky things I love about language.
I’ll be using this space to record what I learn and how certain words have affected me throughout my life. Perhaps it will be interesting to others. Perhaps not. Perhaps people who know more about this sort of thing than I do will berate me in my comments section. I will try not to let such people bring me down. I’m no hard-core etymologist or linguistics professional. I’m just an amateur word enthusiast fascinated by what we say and how and why. I’m a word nerd.
Which brings me to my first real entry: nerd
The first use of nerd appeared in 1950’s If I Ran the Zoo, by Dr. Seuss: "And then, just to show them, I'll sail to Ka-Troo/And bring back an It-Kutch, a Preep and a Proo/A Nerkle, a Nerd, and a Seersucker, too!"
The good Dr.’s Nerd looked like this.
There is some debate over whether the Seussian neologism is directly related to the current definition of the word – the socially inept, the computer-proficient, the thick-spectacled. The Online Etymology Dictionary traces its origin to nert, an alteration of nut, meaning "stupid or crazy." I prefer Seuss myself.
Mr. Word Man reminds us that nerd may not be used interchangeably with spazz, dweeb, or geek, a lesson delightfully nerdy in itself.
And while the pejorative nerd is of American origin, the concept is not uniquely American, despite our culture’s deeply ingrained disdain for -- and suspicion of -- the smarty-pantsed (see also: Al Gore). The British, for example, have swots, who perform basically the same function.
Despite years of revulsion at the word, I've grown to embrace my nerdiness. And now here I am, putting it on display for millions! Enjoy!
Where's your schwa?
Love,
Skirty
I want more. More I tell you, more, more, more!