Nerd vs. Geek

We were studying heart anatomy in Physiology today, so of course we got sidetracked into a debate on the proper connotations of 'geek' and 'nerd.'

Dictionary.com says:
geek
A person regarded as foolish, inept, or clumsy.
A person who is single-minded or accomplished in scientific or technical pursuits but is felt to be socially inept.
A carnival performer whose show consists of bizarre acts, such as biting the head off a live chicken. Yikes! I did not know that...

"Nerd" is the same, sans chicken-mauling.

Geeks are the ones who scurry through the hallways with graphing calculators, heads down, backpacks bulging. They are often adorable, like pug dog puppies, but mildly depressing. Their native language is technobabble.

We agreed, after lengthy debate, that we were nerds. Nerds are geek-like, but possess social skills at a level which allows them to actually communicate with society.

It was a very engrossing conversation. Really!