Use of the word ‘nerd’

The first documented use of the word ‘nerd’ was in the book If I Ran the Zoo, written in 1950 by Dr. Seuss . The book's protagonist, Gerald McGrew, claims that he would bring a creature known as a Nerd from the land of Za-Troo to his zoo. The wild-haired critter wore a black tee and was delightfully grumpy with sideburns. The name stuck.

Nerd is a term that refers to a person who avidly pursues intellectual activities, technical or scientific endeavors, esoteric knowledge, or other obscure interests, rather than engaging in more social or conventional activities. It often carries a derogatory connotation or stereotype. The nerd may be awkward, shy and unattractive.^[1] Therefore, a nerd is often excluded from physical activity and considered a loner by peers, or will tend to associate with like-minded people.