Dork

This article is about a the personal descriptive term, "dork" . For the punk/hardcore band, see Dork (band).

Dork is a slang word for a quirky and usually socially inept person, or one who is out of touch with contemporary trends. The word is often used synonymously with nerd and geek.

In modern usage, the term can be applied without respect to the intelligence of the subject, but it has classically referred to those of sub-average intellect, an exception being when "dork" is used as a synonym for "nerd" and/or "geek." In that situation, high-intelligence (often of the bookish sort) but low social functioning is often indicated.

Etymology

The etymology of the word has been attributed most commonly with the similarity to the word dick or dirk [link] from the 1960s, but other theories are widely circulated:

The idea that it specifically refers to a whale's penis is generally regarded as true.
There may be an association between the modern usage, especially "dorky", and latchkey kid (also known as a "door key kid").

Stereotype

The stereotypical dork image as seen in the mass media and cartoons equates to a young man wearing thick black eyeglasses (preferably broken and taped up with electrical or duct tape), pocket protectors, high-water pants and dress shirts or clothes generally too formal for the circumstances. Sometimes the stereotype lacks personal hygiene skills, and he will typically appear either very skinny or extremely fat. Stereotypical dorks usually lack social graces and the ability to perform social interaction, except conversations about technical topics, and they tend to talk very formally, especially with attractive girls or young women. Otherwise, they often end up being completely and unable to talk at all. They also perform poorly in sports, due to a lack of strength, stamina, adrenaline, muscle coordination and inclination to practice. Several characters in Americana typify this idea of a dork, such as Napoleon Dynamite and Rivers Cuomo, the lead singer of Weezer. Anti-folk singer Adam Brodsky also promotes the concept of "dork pride".

Dork

Etymology

Stereotype

See also