Nerds! A rather redundant insult.

[TheComedown]

I've noticed recently that in games and on forums that Nerd is a popular insult. I find this perplexing. Now all that the person knows about you is that you are playing a game, or posting on a forum, and when you either say something they don't like or start kicking their ass at whatever game, all of a sudden your a nerd, but all they know about you is that you at least like to spend time doing something they (presumably) like doing as well, posting or gaming. So effectively they are calling themselves nerds and everyone else on the server/forum a nerd.

So i guess this thread has two purposes a plea for "nerd" to stop being used as an insult as it is pointless and only makes yourself look like an idiot, and secondly what are some popular responses when they receive this insult?

 

[slowpoke999]

GTFO NERD!
Na just jk, most people who say that then leave with something stupid like 'my gawd I only spend like 5 mins a day on this site cause I have a life' and it's true, for one day, because they can't go one day without doing whatever they call you out on but don't want to be caught because they're too self-absorbed.

 

[Chamale]

You're a nerd.

Thank you, sir. I try.

That's my usual response. At my school, being told you're a nerd is no big deal. If certain people were told that they're not nerdy, sparks would fly.

 

[SturmDolch]

I use it more like a general insult sometimes. I think it comes from Arrested Development and The Office using it like that.

Guy: "Fuck you asshole!"
Me: "Shut up, you fat nerd!"

Of course, I've never had that exchange, but I imagine that's what I'd say.

 

[Danpascooch]

I honestly barely ever hear someone say nerd, but I believe the correct response is:

"fuck you"

 

[The_Healer]

Who cares really?

Its not a particularly violent or willfully offensive insult.
I usually smile at people when they call me a nerd.

 

[Hazy]

"I care" in the most bland, uncaring tone of voice possible feasibly sums up what I believe to be the perfect response.

Make them look like the pretentious douchebag. Don't get angry - get indifferent.

 

[Galebaby]

I hear nerd all the time on a DBZ game I play on BYOND. Its all too apparent that 13 year olds crowd that game with insults such as lame, nerd, geek, etc.

Nothing that good ol' "You mad." won't fix.

 

[TheComedown]

I honestly barely ever hear someone say nerd, but I believe the correct response is:

"fuck you"

Really? I see it a fair bit.
Tho I think "fuck you" is a sign you've taken offense at their insult and wouldn't really recommend encouraging their stupidity by letting them think "nerd" is a good insult.

 

[thethingthatlurks]

I'm pretty sure "nerd" stopped being an insult when I was in high school. 'course, if somebody is thick enough to use it as an insult, you could just laugh and call him a twat. Yeah, twat is the new cool insult...

 

[Danpascooch]

I honestly barely ever hear someone say nerd, but I believe the correct response is:

"fuck you"

Really? I see it a fair bit.
Tho I think "fuck you" is a sign you've taken offense at their insult and wouldn't really recommend encouraging their stupidity by letting them think "nerd" is a good insult.

It was a joke.

Why would you wait for an excuse to yell "fuck you!" at somebody anyway?

 

[Marter]

a plea for "nerd" to stop being used as an insult as it is pointless and only makes yourself look like an idiot

You are making your plea to the wrong crowd, as I can say with great certainty that those frequenting this forum are not the ones using the word "nerd" in a derogatory sense.

and secondly what are some popular responses when they receive this insult?

"So what?"

 

[RhombusHatesYou]

Yeah, twat is the new cool insult...

If it's 1983, yes.

 

[Moon_Called]

If you're asking people to stop calling people nerds, I'd imagine this is entirely the wrong place to do so.

Although, personally, I'd get annoyed if someone told me I wasn't a nerd.

 

[thethingthatlurks]

Yeah, twat is the new cool insult...

If it's 1983, yes.

Something wrong with the 80s? I mean I was only around for the last 13 months, so I can't judge, but if you'd like to fill me in...

 

[crimson5pheonix]

I usually reply with "NO, YOU'RE WRONG! I'm a geek, there's a difference."

 

[SonicKoala]

I personally don't take offense to it - I do have many nerdy characteristics, but I don't resent them, I embrace them. A typical response for me would be "Yeah, so?"

 

[Good morning blues]

I think you're mis-interpreting. If we're arguing on Counter-Strike or whatever and I call you a nerd, I'm not saying that only nerds play Counter-Strike, I'm saying that only nerds take Counter-Strike as seriously as you do.