Know Your English (June 2001)

Know your English

``WHAT IS the meaning of ``geek''?

This is a word which is mostly used in informal contexts. A `geek' is a person who is disliked by most people because of his disgusting behaviour or appearance. The `ee' is pronounced like the `ee' in `bee', `see', and `fee'. Here are a few examples.
* Our new chemistry professor looks like a geek. Wonder how he got the job.
* Who is the geek you were talking to?
* If you ask me, Maya's husband is a geek.
You may be interested to know that the word `geek' has another meaning as well; one that is more complimentary. A hardworking person can also be referred to as a geek. For example.
* Mohan is the geek you find in the library all the time.
* Sunitha always goes to that geek Prakash just before the exams.
* I will not have anything to do with that geek.
`Geek' was first used to refer to people who performed in circuses; not the acrobats, but those who performed unusual acts like biting off the head of a chicken, swallowing a live goldfish, etc. - acts which made the audience squirm. Or should I say acts which made the audience scream ``EEK''!


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, June26, 2001