"Sweaty Geek" - Do it have any meaning in English? | Warrior Forum - The #1 Digital Marketing Forum & Marketplace

11 years ago

Well to be honest it could imply that a computer geek or nerd is working so furiously on their computer that they have run up a sweat but really I would just picture an overweight slob at their computer who doesn't wash.

So I do not think these people will appreciate the term in the way hardcore geek might be appreciated.

If these people appreciate being called geeks in the first place that is.

Dan

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taskemann

11 years ago

Originally Posted by jimbo13

Well to be honest it could imply that a computer geek or nerd is working so furiously on their computer that they have run up a sweat but really I would just picture an overweight slob at their computer who doesn't wash.

So I do not think these people will appreciate the term in the way hardcore geek might be appreciated.

If these people appreciate being called geeks in the first place that is.

Dan

Thanks.

Relax mate, I'm not going to offend anyone with it.

So what you basically are saying is that one CAN call a slobby nerd that's working furiously on his computer for a "sweaty geek"?

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MissTerraK

11 years ago

Originally Posted by taskemann

Thanks.

Relax mate, I'm not going to offend anyone with it.

So what you basically are saying is that one CAN call a slobby nerd that's working furiously on his computer for a "sweaty geek"?

I don't know about that Jimmy.

A sweaty geek conjures up an image of a nerdy type with thick black glasses and with his personal hygiene in ill repair.

Personally, I wouldn't use the phrase at all.

Terra

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Dan Riffle

11 years ago

Jimmy, as far as I'm aware, "Sweaty geek" doesn't have a specific context people will readily recognize. Your reader will just envision a sweaty geek.

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hardraysnight

11 years ago

good name for a band

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seasoned

11 years ago

Originally Posted by taskemann

Hi,

I'm translating some stuff and therefore I'm wondering on if the two words "Sweaty Geek" have any meaning in English? Can I call a hardcore, super engaged, or fanatic geek for a "sweaty geek"?

Strange question I know but thanks :p

BTW Why DO you ask? Is it NORWEGIAN slang or something? I have a danish danish slang dictionary(Politikens). BTW Note to NON scandinavians here, it does NOT generally talk about politics. But one word, for example, translates as Potato Singer. It means "a singer that sings like he has a potato in his mouth(like bing crosby and gustav winkler)"! Some slang is WEIRD in ANY language!

Steve

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jimbo13

11 years ago

Jimmy

What is the sentence you are going to place this phrase into? Or was it just a general enquiry?

By the way, our Prime Minister said the other day if we leave the EU we will end up like Norway. Not the best argument to stay in the EU.

Dan

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taskemann

11 years ago

Originally Posted by jimbo13

Jimmy

What is the sentence you are going to place this phrase into? Or was it just a general enquiry?

By the way, our Prime Minister said the other day if we leave the EU we will end up like Norway. Not the best argument to stay in the EU.

Dan

It was for a domain name. A news site with geek & tech news. I've registered it now and I hope (and think) it's good for branding. Like: "Hey! I'm reading the Sweaty Geek and you should too!" :p

It doesn't sound that bad huh?

Yeah, crappy EU. Only silly and crappy rules & regulations that destroy freedom & economics. I hope UK get out of EU soon and join the Nordic (Kalmar) Union among Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland & Island. :p

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taskemann

11 years ago

Originally Posted by seasoned

BTW Why DO you ask? Is it NORWEGIAN slang or something? I have a danish danish slang dictionary(Politikens). BTW Note to NON scandinavians here, it does NOT generally talk about politics. But one word, for example, translates as Potato Singer. It means "a singer that sings like he has a potato in his mouth(like bing crosby and gustav winkler)"! Some slang is WEIRD in ANY language!

Steve

Yeah, it's a slang phrase for a person who's fanatic about something tech, game, science related here. But after a bit of research I found that it has the same meaning in the English language too.

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Kay King

11 years ago

The meaning (in translation) may be the same but it's slang and it isn't a slang phrase used in the U.S.

It brings to mind an image of an unwashed computer nerd - if that is the image you are going for, it works.

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seasoned

11 years ago

Originally Posted by Kay King

The meaning (in translation) may be the same but it's slang and it isn't a slang phrase used in the U.S.

It brings to mind an image of an unwashed computer nerd - if that is the image you are going for, it works.

Yeah, but as I think you said earlier, it may be insulting. GEEK has been expanded SO much that some take it with PRIDE, even if not properly applied, but it used to be kind of insulting.

Steve

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Kay King

11 years ago

I agree, Steve - but others have pointed out it's not a common term here and he keeps insisting it is...

He asked a question but had already decided on an answer so no point in correcting an assumption in this case.

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seasoned

11 years ago

Originally Posted by Kay King

I agree, Steve - but others have pointed out it's not a common term here and he keeps insisting it is...

He asked a question but had already decided on an answer so no point in correcting an assumption in this case.

Who knows? There IS NEW, CULTURAL, and REGIONAL slang. That is likely true of ALL countries, etc... But a LOT of people outside a country ESPECIALLY ones that normally speak another language, tend to forget that.

BTW Using NEW slang can make you look like a dope. Cultural slang could even get you MURDERED, and mark you as being in a group YOU don't want to be in. Regional slang may mean a totally different thing elsewhere, or just not be known.

If you are going to use slang, it is best if it is something readily understood, and generally allowed.

Steve

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Kay King

11 years ago

Steve - Slang is language and society specific. What he's proposed is not wrong but will not have the recognition he expects when translated to another language/culture.

You use slang and idioms assuming the person hearing or reading them will instantly know what you mean. When you are translating to another language, the mental image the phrase creates may not be what you intended.

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***

Dear April: I don't want any trouble from you.

January was long, February was iffy, March was a freaking dumpster fire.

So sit down, be quiet, and don't touch anything.

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seasoned

11 years ago

Originally Posted by Kay King

Steve - Slang is language and society specific. What he's proposed is not wrong but will not have the recognition he expects when translated to another language/culture.

You use slang and idioms assuming the person hearing or reading them will instantly know what you mean. When you are translating to another language, the mental image the phrase creates may not be what you intended.

For the record, you and I said EXACTLY the same thing! I simply spoke about the spread, and the fact that it may be limited to a region or culture, and some potential problems.

Steve

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MoneyMagnetMagnate

11 years ago

"Geek" used to have an (almost :rolleyes

entirely different connotation than it does these days - (and used in conjunction with words like 'pencil-necked')
"Sweaty Geek" to me, conjures up pictures of a carnival side-show...ala 'Tod Browning'.*..

(* if you don't know who Tod Browning is, you can google him...watch the movie - if you dare)

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seasoned

11 years ago

BTW some words don't translate well. You can often combine words in German to make a new word, for example. Don't speak of how you can see far, because a farseer(fernseher is a TV! A farspeaker(fernsprecher) is a phone! A farcopier(ferncopier) is a fax! I could just see a young english speaker from germany not know what to call a FAX, and say far copier! TV and phone are different since they may be pretty well known throughout europe, just as many in the US know what a "telly" is.

I already spoke of the danish kartoffelsynger(sp?). I have heard bing crosby sing etc... and I STILL don't get it. I guess it is slang for crooner. BTW I picked that word since it was the first I saw when I then opened the book.

Steve

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taskemann

11 years ago

I already spoke of the danish kartoffelsynger(sp?). I have heard bing crosby sing etc... and I STILL don't get it. I guess it is slang for crooner. BTW I picked that word since it was the first I saw when I then opened the book.

Steve

"Kartoffelsynger" is "Potatosinger"

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seasoned 11 years ago

Originally Posted by taskemann

"Kartoffelsynger" is "Potatosinger"

Yeah, I said that earlier. OK, HOW MANY native english speakers here knew what a potatosinger was prior to last week?

Steve
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- Frank Donovan 11 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by seasoned
  
  OK, HOW MANY native english speakers here knew what a potatosinger was prior to last week?
  
  Well, I knew that Jimmy Somerville was sometimes known as The Singing Potato. Does that count?
  
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  Frank
  
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taskemann

11 years ago

I see that many of you "older" guys write that the term "Geek" is insulting. Maybe it was insulting when you were young back in the days but it's not insulting in these days. Many actually take geek as a complement.

It's more like the "N-word". It wasn't insulting for 150 years ago, but it is very insulting today.

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Gail_Curran 11 years ago

You're completely missing the point. "Sweaty" is an unappealing word. "Sweaty" is the word that is the problem. When you put it together with "geek," you create a disgusting mental image. The two words sound bad together in English and make you think of something gross and offensive. Is that really the way you want to brand yourself?

Pair up "geek" with a less disgusting and less negative word. Problem solved.

.
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seasoned

11 years ago

Originally Posted by taskemann

I see that many of you "older" guys write that the term "Geek" is insulting. Maybe it was insulting when you were young back in the days but it's not insulting in these days. Many actually take geek as a complement.

It's more like the "N-word". It wasn't insulting for 150 years ago, but it is very insulting today.

We said it WAS insulting!

As for the N word? It is NOT insulting, as long as you are in the right culture. If you aren't? Well, it is one of those words I said could get you KILLED!

Steve

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jimbo13 11 years ago

Originally Posted by taskemann

It's more like the "N-word". It wasn't insulting for 150 years ago, but it is very insulting today.

I wouldn't bet that it wasn't insulting 150 years ago. That is why the slave traders used it.

Dan
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MoneyMagnetMagnate

11 years ago

Originally Posted by taskemann

I see that many of you "older" guys write that the term "Geek" is insulting. Maybe it was insulting when you were young back in the days but it's not insulting in these days. Many actually take geek as a complement.

It's more like the "N-word". It wasn't insulting for 150 years ago, but it is very insulting today.

It's no the word 'geek' - it's the word 'sweaty'...you put the two together and it creates a negative connotation...
Like fart candy...or smelly cat...

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MissTerraK

11 years ago

LOL

Originally Posted by MoneyMagnetMagnate

It's no the word 'geek' - it's the word 'sweaty'...you put the two together and it creates a negative connotation...
Like fart candy...or smelly cat...

Lol 3M!

Fart candy? I'm afraid to ask...

Terra

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"Sweaty Geek" - Do it have any meaning in English?

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