Behind the origins of the word 'nerd' (2024)

Here’s the understatement of the year: Liberty Science Center loves nerds!

We love nerds so much that we’re throwing a “Nerd Prom” party on June 15, the latest in our monthly LSC After Dark event series for guests 21 and over. (You can buy tickets and get all the information right here).

But have you ever considered the origin of the word “nerd”? It has an unusual background, as it was initially coined by Dr. Seuss in his 1950 book “If I Ran the Zoo.” In the book, the narrator states he’ll collect “a Nerkle, a Nerd, and a seersucker too” for the imaginary zoo in the story.

For a long time, the word was used to negatively describe people who were smart and expressed an interest in math and science.

But nowadays, everyone wants to be a nerd! With the rise of Silicon Valley and the advancement of technology, people have learned just how great it is to be nerdy.

Of course, the word “nerd” is not to be confused with the word “geek,” which likely derives from the Scottish and Germanic word “geck,“ meaning a fool.

So don’t be a fool – come party with your fellow nerds this month at LSC After Dark: Nerd Prom on June 15! Get tickets here, and make sure to tell your friends about it online using the hashtag #LSCAfterDark.