dorks
Awkward, uncool people
Dorks are people perceived as socially awkward, unfashionable, or obsessively interested in niche subjects.
The word carries less sting than similar terms—a dork is more endearingly clueless than genuinely contemptible: We were such dorks in high school.
Many wear the label proudly now, especially fans of comics, gaming, or tech.
Dork originally meant penis, but that sense has faded almost entirely.
Enthusiasts of niche subjects
- nerdsObsessive intellectuals, or candy
- misfitsThose who don't belong
- outcastsRejected, excluded people
- oddballsUnconventional people
weirdos · dweebs · squares · losers · wallflowers · loners · introverts · bumbling
Obsessive intellectuals, or candy
- geeksEnthusiasts of niche subjects
- brainiacsExceptionally intelligent people
- bookwormsVoracious readers, or page-eating larvae
- know-it-allsPeople claiming total knowledge
eggheads · academics · scholars · overachievers · intellectuals · studious · brains · whiz-kids
Enthusiasts of niche subjects
- nerdsObsessive intellectuals, or candy
- fanboysArdent male devotees
- fangirlsObsessive female admirers
- gamersThose who play electronically
cosplayers · collectors · enthusiasts · otaku · superfans · convention-goers · LARPers · Whovians
Inspiring warm feelings
- quirkyIdiosyncratically unusual
- adorableExtremely endearing
- sweetTasting of sugar
- harmlessCausing no injury
innocent · genuine · unpretentious · sincere · kindhearted · goofballs · goofs · sweethearts
Unauthorized computer system intruders
- codersSoftware creators
- programmersThose who write code
- techiesTechnology enthusiasts or experts
- gamersThose who play electronically
modders · tinkerers · engineers · developers · sysadmins
geeks
Enthusiasts of niche subjects
- nerdsObsessive intellectuals, or candy
- misfitsThose who don't belong
- outcastsRejected, excluded people
oddballs · weirdos · dweebs · squares · losers · wallflowers · loners · introverts · bumbling · clumsy
nerds
Obsessive intellectuals, or candy
- geeksEnthusiasts of niche subjects
- brainiacsExceptionally intelligent people
- bookwormsVoracious readers, or page-eating larvae
know-it-alls · eggheads · academics · scholars · overachievers · intellectuals · studious · brains · whiz-kids · savants
geeks
Enthusiasts of niche subjects
gamers · cosplayers · collectors · enthusiasts · otaku · superfans · convention-goers · LARPers · Whovians · memers
lovable
Inspiring warm feelings
harmless · innocent · genuine · unpretentious · sincere · kindhearted · goofballs · goofs · sweethearts · well-meaning
hackers
Unauthorized computer system intruders
- codersSoftware creators
- programmersThose who write code
- techiesTechnology enthusiasts or experts
gamers · modders · tinkerers · engineers · developers · sysadmins
- student typesjocks, kindergartners, nerds, first graders, geeks
- foolsfool, idiot, moron, fools, idiots
dorkscool kids
Socially dominant youth group
popular kids · jocks · socialites · trendsetters · hipsters
dorkssmooth operators
Socially adept persuaders
charmers · schmoozers · players · sophisticates · people persons
dorksfashionistas
Devoted followers of trends
style icons · trendsetters · clothes horses · fashion plates