Archives for 2013

Geek: one who is deep into the intricacies of a discipline, study or physical objects. {e.g. “Computer geeks”} A geek usually makes his own world and socializes about his chosen study. Frequently the geek doesn’t care much about the opinions of others about his chosen love-object, leading to their becoming socially ostracized. But, “So what?” A geek participates in geek activities every day, and preferably at least once every hour. The word may derive from European languages where it means fool or crazy.

Fanboy: one who is unreasonably geeky, proud of and proseletyzing about a discipline, study or physical objects. {“Apple fanboy”} Flamewars frequently arise between fanboys and their opponents because of the depth (and unreasonability) of their beliefs surrounding their love-object. A fanboy participates in fanboy activities “as needed” which might be each day, or sometimes only once a month. The word fan is a shortening of the word fanatic.

Ham: one who is showoffingly self-involved in participation in a discipline, study or physical objects. {“Ham” on the stage; “Ham” radio} On the stage, a “ham” usually overdoes it, going beyond what is necessary — and usually because he just loves doing it and gets a charge from his love-object. A ham usually participates in ham activities “when they feel like it” and sometimes in ways that indicate they feel they are invisible, such as ham radio operators talking on the radio when walking down the street. (Umm…that begs the question of whether cellphone street-walker-talkers are ham radio operators.) The word is a shortening of the word amateur.