It's pretty old by now, but as you pointed out in the OP, I feel it falls flat much of the time because the subject rarely has a neckbeard to speak of.
Is "neckbeard" supposed to be the new offensive term?
- Thread starter Royal King
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It certainly isn't new and to be fair, he's not really using it correctly. Neckbeard is typically used exclusively on the Internet to describe arrogant people who are inherently to obnoxious too socialize and occasionally have an over inflated sense of self worth. See also, Fedora neckbeards and that special flavor of ass hole atheists. Doesn't really describe dudes who casually play DS in public
Basically means suspicious. Maybe out of place, untrustworthy or uncertainBaffle said:
To me, Neckbeard is a hair-fashion choice. The first internet celebrity who comes to mind who has one is TGWTG's Benzaie.
I've indeed always thought of it as a term to substitute "geek" or "nerd", since those have gone from meaning "person who will get picked on in school for liking technology" to "person who likes sci-fi and fantasy and is less commonly picked on", with the problem being that liking technology is kind of what people do now. It's no longer just the weird kid who can access that strange thing called the internet on these strange machines, it's everyone.
This seems like a really odd insult to use in real life. I get using it online, as it seems basically synonymous with "basement dweller," implying a person is too socially isolated/slovenly to maintain their appearance. But it kinda falls flat as an insult when you can clearly see that someone is well kept or simply doesn't have any facial hair to speak of.
I'd say a shady character, somebody that might be up to no good,or...Baffle said:
these work nicely as well.PoolCleaningRobot said:
It's not that new. And if he's the one with the goatee who feels the need to call random strangers 'neckbeard' then he's clearly already lost in a number of ways. The only thing that kind of behavior deserves is the look of sincere pity reserved for your inferiors.
That is immediately the response I envisioned.Pink Gregory said:
Then again I'm from Yorkshire, where such things are as natural as breathing.
'Dear sir, if I were more philanthropically inclined I should educate you on the proper use of the term but since I am enjoying my video game I shall merely cheer you on your way with a derisive smirk.'Phasmal said:
alternatively, you Jelly?
cause really, you know they jelly. they always jelly.
The only problem is either one of those responses would just cement you as a neckbeard in their mind. Especially that first one -- I'm afraid to say it out loud, because I have a feeling my head would spontaneously generate a fedora and my beard would creep a few inches down my chin and towards my neck just from saying it XDThe Lugz said:
As far as reactions go, if some stranger said it in passing like what happened to the OP, my reaction would be something to the effect of "what is that asshole's problem?", though not necessarily said out loud.
First: New? God no. "Neckbeard" has been floating around the net for years and years.
Second: Insult? Some people may think so but in my experience, it has always been both a term of criticism and endearment. In some circles of the net, the term has evolved. The length of one's proverbial neckbeard is an indicator of their dedication to nerd and internet culture along with a disregard of opposing opinions, shame and the things normal people do like socialize and be in relationships.
Terms are what we make them. When someone calls us something, we can ascribe any meaning we want. Words are only as powerful as people make them and they're only effective as long as the victims get upset. Personally, I would be honored to be called a neckbeard.
Second: Insult? Some people may think so but in my experience, it has always been both a term of criticism and endearment. In some circles of the net, the term has evolved. The length of one's proverbial neckbeard is an indicator of their dedication to nerd and internet culture along with a disregard of opposing opinions, shame and the things normal people do like socialize and be in relationships.
Terms are what we make them. When someone calls us something, we can ascribe any meaning we want. Words are only as powerful as people make them and they're only effective as long as the victims get upset. Personally, I would be honored to be called a neckbeard.
Owyn_Merrilin said:
A truly stinging/disarming reaction can often be the simplest one. Just outright laugh at them
, (though it *really* won't work if it sounds fake or forced, so don't do it unless you can make it genuine) and the funniest bit is the more genuine/serious/arrogant they are about it, the more foolish they'll look when it totally doesn't 'work' like they wanted.((Kinda discovered that by accident with a friend, when a random came out of nowhere and gave us this dirty look and insulted us (we had never seen them before and were quietly sitting there minding our own business), we were caught so off guard we both ended up just laughing quite genuinely, and our insulter kinda just got embarrassed and slunk away pretty quick. Which then made it even funnier))
Neckbeard is hardly a new term. I've always thought it basically meant, as Yahtzee would put it:
Of course it's a silly term, since unkemptness is no clear indication of nerdiness.
It's also a term that exists mostly within the nerd community, so the fact that he's familiar with it at all means he's probably at least as much a nerd as you are.
Of course it's a silly term, since unkemptness is no clear indication of nerdiness.
It's also a term that exists mostly within the nerd community, so the fact that he's familiar with it at all means he's probably at least as much a nerd as you are.
A) Neckbeard is at least 5 years old as an insult.
B) Why do you give a shit what some random douchebag thinks of you?
C) Trying to make a comeback only validates his douchebaggery.
B) Why do you give a shit what some random douchebag thinks of you?
C) Trying to make a comeback only validates his douchebaggery.
I always wondered how come it's nerdy to be playing on a handheld, while playing Candy Crush/Angrybirds/etc on a phone isn't.
As for the topic, I always thought that neckbeard for a nerd is what a nerd is for non-nerds, and is used as an insult between nerds. So far I've only seen it used in this forum.
I'm not a native English speaker, nor do I live in an English-speaking country, but I believe that douchebag wanker would be adequate if you see him again. Sounds like he's bitter and trying to spread misery, so I'd just ignore him.
As for the topic, I always thought that neckbeard for a nerd is what a nerd is for non-nerds, and is used as an insult between nerds. So far I've only seen it used in this forum.
I'm not a native English speaker, nor do I live in an English-speaking country, but I believe that douchebag wanker would be adequate if you see him again. Sounds like he's bitter and trying to spread misery, so I'd just ignore him.
Neckbeard is a bit like basement dweller...there's nothing inherently wrong with it, but it's included in a rather unpleasant stereotype.
The Amazing Atheist comes to mind (I think he even has a neckbeard). Someone convinced they are enlightened and progressive and intellectually superior, and who refuses to grow up or take a long hard look at themselves because of it.
The Amazing Atheist comes to mind (I think he even has a neckbeard). Someone convinced they are enlightened and progressive and intellectually superior, and who refuses to grow up or take a long hard look at themselves because of it.