FROM THISTO THIS Rose Crooks & Brandon Fink

 John Green, co-founder of the Nerdfighters 2009 Quote

 Connotation is the social meaning of a word, what it means to people rather than a dictionary definition (Oxford English Dictionary Online, ed., n.d.).  Amelioration is defined as a change in connotation, an improvement, a word becoming associated with more positive things (Oxford English Dictionary Online, ed., n.d.)

 Is there evidence to assume that the words are in the process of amelioration?  Is there a definition difference between nerd and geek?  How does gender, major or career, and first language influence the definition of nerd and geek?

 The Survey:  Part 1 - Biographical information  Part questions about different types of people, Would they be considered :  Nerd/geek  Gender  How they feel about this person  Part 3 – Question 9, self identification – yes/no Why?

Example question 8. A person who attends scifi/fantasy conventions in costume. Circle which word you would apply to this person: Nerd Geek Both Neither This person is most likely: Female Male Other___ Circle the picture that best represents your feeling about this person:

 70 participants from  5 upper division classes  67 students and 3 teachers  25 male, 43 female, 2 not indicated.  Age Groups:  (43)  (12)  (8)  (7) above 35

 Question 9 (Self-Identification Question): feelings towards words nerd and geek  Questions 1 – 8: supplemental information.

 Respondents with generally negative responses  Reaction against stereotype.  No Response (to question 9)  ~ half more negative  ~ half more positive  Respondents with generally positive responses  Self-identified using the word nerd  Self-identified using the word geek in their description.  Self-identified as both a nerd, and a geek, or said: “Yes” and went on to describe.

 Is amelioration happening?  Yes, 67% of responses positive.  Both negative and positive connotations (No response group) still exist,  the meanings are still in flux  Definition difference?  Words seem to be used interchangeably  Does gender, major or career, first language influence the definition ?  Age may have some affect  No conclusion for: gender, first language, major  Sample group limited

 The words nerd and geek will continue to ameliorate (become completely positive)  The definitions will continue to merge

“I feel like when you are passionate enough about something that it doesn't matter what other people think, you could call yourself a nerd.” (Quote from survey respondent)