geek
     n 1: a carnival performer who does disgusting acts
     2: a person with an unusual or odd personality [syn: {eccentric},
         {eccentric person}, {flake}, {oddball}]
Source: WordNet® 2.0

geek n. A person who has chosen concentration rather than conformity;
   one who pursues skill (especially technical skill) and imagination, not
   mainstream social acceptance. Geeks usually have a strong case of
   {neophilia}. Most geeks are adept with computers and treat {hacker} as a
   term of respect, but not all are hackers themselves - and some who _are_
   in fact hackers normally call themselves geeks anyway, because they
   (quite properly) regard `hacker' as a label that should be bestowed by
   others rather than self-assumed.

   One description (http://www.darkwater.com/omni/geek.html) accurately
   if a little breathlessly enumerates "gamers, ravers, science fiction
   fans, punks, perverts, programmers, nerds, subgenii, and trekkies. These
   are people who did not go to their high school proms, and many would be
   offended by the suggestion that they should have even wanted to."

   Originally, a `geek' was a carnival performer who bit the heads off
   chickens. Before about 1990 usage of this term was rather negative.
   Earlier versions of this lexicon defined a `computer geek' as one who
   eats (computer) bugs for a living - an asocial, malodorous, pasty-faced
   monomaniac with all the personality of a cheese grater. This is often
   still the way geeks are regarded by non-geeks, but as the mainstream
   culture becomes more dependent on technology and technical skill
   mainstream attitudes have tended to shift towards grudging respect.
   Correspondingly, there are now `geek pride' festivals (the implied
   reference to `gay pride' is not accidental).

   See also {propeller head}, {clustergeeking}, {geek out}, {wannabee},
   {terminal junkie}, {spod}, {weenie}, {geek code}.


Source: The Jargon File