Dork - What does that term mean to you? Are you a dork?

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   Sally's Troveposted 11 years ago

   When someone called me a dork today, I did a search on what the term means. I was surprised at the results here:
   
   derogatory. A dull, slow-witted, or socially inept person. vulgar. The pen*s.
   
   Someone who has odd interests, and is often silly at times. A dork is also someone who can be themselves and not care what anyone thinks.
   
   Slang. a silly, out-of-touch person who tends to look odd or behave ridiculously around others; a social misfit: If you make me wear that, I'll look like a total dork!
   
   Slang A stupid, inept, or foolish person: "the stupid antics of America's favorite teen-age cartoon dorks" (Joshua Mooney). 2. Vulgar Slang The pen*s.
   
   Dork is a slang word for a stupid or inept person; similar to nerd or geek. Dork may also refer to: Vulgar slang for "pen*s"
   
   A person of indeterminate intelligence that often gravitates toward technological or fictional material with considerable interest, but often little understanding or comprehension.
   
   Dork can mean a lot of things. What do you think?

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      AliciaCposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I’ve heard the word used in a friendly, joking way (especially amongst socializing teenagers), who say something like “You dork” when they’re commenting on a friend’s behavior that they consider weird or silly. The term isn’t being used in an offensive way and the speakers and the person performing the behavior are often smiling or laughing. I’ve also heard of the word being used to refer to someone with odd interests who doesn’t care what other people think about them. I’ve never thought of it as a derogatory term.

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         paradigmsearchposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         I have to agree. Context means everything here.

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         Sally's Troveposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Thank you so much for your insights. Where "dork" might have been completely pejorative in the past, it may now have a different connotation. That's what I was looking for...a change from then to now.

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            paradigmsearchposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            Maybe the dork days have ended...

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               Sally's Troveposted 11 years agoin reply to this

               I don't think so...but I do think what it means depends on who says it for what reason. Plus, language changes. I guess I'm feeling a bit relieved that my being called a dork wasn't such a horrible thing, considering context and all that.

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      Jo_Goldsmith11posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I felt like a dork
      When I dropped my fork
      duh!
      It fell from my hands
      I sat there staring
      Not really caring
      The soup was cold
      "You are such a dork"
      This is what I was told.
      
      hahahahahaha

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      kenneth averyposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      I've been called this derogatory term, dork, by a family member, but she was jesting. But I have also heard dork used in an ugly, mean way that caused a lot of hurt feelings.
      Our tongue can either build up or tear down is the lesson here.

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      GalaxyRatposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      What?? A PE***? You gotta be kidding. But, I consider myself a dork. Yeah, it's true. I have unusual interests...

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   knolyourselfposted 11 years ago

   Dork Matter and the Big Slang.

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      Sally's Troveposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      What is the Big Slang?

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         paradigmsearchposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         It is where dork matter came from...

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            Sally's Troveposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            That's helpful.

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   Zelkiiroposted 11 years ago

   Whale junk.

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      Sally's Troveposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I don't think that's what I was looking for.

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      Beth37posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      lol

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   paradigmsearchposted 11 years ago

   If you were called that on this forum, the person who did it would be automatically banned for doing so. That should answer your question.
   
   As for me, I've done dorkness. But generally and hopefully, I am dork free.

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      Sally's Troveposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      No, no one in this forum...just looking for what folks think a dork is. But, from what you said, "dork" is a totally negative term.

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         paradigmsearchposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Being called a dork is an insult. Plain and simple. You need to evaluate or reevaluate your relationship with the person who called you that.

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            Sally's Troveposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            What about the second definition...Maybe "dork" is taking on a new meaning?

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               paradigmsearchposted 11 years agoin reply to this

               There is such a thing as a friendly insult.
               
               How close is your relationship with this person?

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                  Sally's Troveposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                  I like that.

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   Sally's Troveposted 11 years ago

   So far, these are totally negative connotations.

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   Sally's Troveposted 11 years ago

   What I'm looking for is what "dork" means to you (meaning anyone), and maybe that word has a connotation that isn't negative today, although it might have always been in the past.
   
   When I researched the term, I was surprised to see pen*s come up so often.

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      paradigmsearchposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      It did what...?

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         Sally's Troveposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Well, maybe it could have, maybe it would have, maybe it did, and maybe it didn't. But the word did come up...can't post it here...HP would slap me and Google would condemn me. Sad, sad.

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      Motown2Chitownposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Me too!  I've never heard the pen*s connotation myself.  I call myself a dork regularly.  I use it to mean silly, odd, a little less than intelligent - but endearing.  For example, I would NEVER use the word with someone who IS less than intelligent for fear of hurting their feelings.  But, I'll use it on myself or my husband - neither of us finds it offensive.
      
      But...then I have always had a bit of a sarcastic nature.  When I found that the root of the word sarcasm meant 'to tear the flesh,' I made a conscious attempt to avoid sarcasm as often as possible.  I may do the same with the word 'dork.'
      
      Interesting.

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         Sally's Troveposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         I, also, lean toward sarcasm. I just may rethink my approach.

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   Lisa HWposted 11 years ago

   I'd say that a dork is kind of a geek who crossed the line from cool geekness to uncool dorkness.  (I know, definitions aren't supposed to include the term-in-question).

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   Uninvited Writerposted 11 years ago

   To me, a dork is not a totally pejorative term. To me it's a person who is socially inept, like myself at times

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      paradigmsearchposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      We have a slackers club. Maybe we should start a dorkmeyer club.

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   Sherry Hewinsposted 11 years ago

   The way I usually hear the word used is one friend says to another "You're such a dork." Usually after the person made a silly assumption or is behaving in a goofy manner. I generally do not take it to be their true opinion that that person is generally stupid or dull-witted. I really have not heard it used as a serious insult or put-down.

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    Sally's Troveposted 11 years ago

    Thanks to all of you for your very interesting input. I find myself in intriguing company!

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       Motown2Chitownposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Those of us who populate the forums here at HubPages are nothing, if not intriguing!
       
       

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    prettydarkhorseposted 11 years ago

    Somebody said I am a dork, and I asked why, she just said "You're weird". She is a friend though and she said the word with her signature laugh.

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       paradigmsearchposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       I've come to realize that being accused of dorkdom may actually be a compliment at times.

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          PoeticVineposted 11 years agoin reply to this

          I'll agree I'm odd and can be a bit awkward at times.  It's just part of my charm.  ^_^  I too think it can sometimes be a compliment. 
          
          Here's another spin on it, too.  Dad has a rather interesting sense of humor -- from our childhood, my sister and I would receive periodic notes in random places saying "YOU DORK" (my father writes in a "capitals" style handwriting).  I got one about a month ago, actually -- after he patched a jacket of mine, I opened one of the pockets and found a Post-It bearing those very words, so I kept it in there.  When I reach in that pocket without thinking and feel it there, I think of Dad.   

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             Beth37posted 11 years agoin reply to this

             That's so sweet.

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                PoeticVineposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                I've always thought so too, Beth.  ^_^   There are all kinds of ways to express affection.  That's just one of Dad's. 

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             Sally's Troveposted 11 years agoin reply to this

             I love this little story. Thank you so much for sharing.

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    Beth37posted 11 years ago

    I just want to know if you edited penis or if the admin. did.

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       Sally's Troveposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       I did.

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          Beth37posted 11 years agoin reply to this

          Someone was once reading me a list of funny business web address's that went wrong.
          One was an online pen company. Their name was Pen Island. You can imagine how many hits they got.

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             Sally's Troveposted 11 years agoin reply to this

             Why didn't I think of that!!!!!!!!!!!! Awesome. So long as you weren't looking for AdSense dollars. LOL

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             Robert Levineposted 7 years agoin reply to this

             Along similar lines, consider what is created in the web address for Tutors Exchange when the space between those two words is eliminated.

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    psycheskinnerposted 7 years ago

    Um, dork is not a serious insult.  It's the sort of thing tens call their friends when they think they are being a bit embarrassing.

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    Robert Levineposted 7 years ago

    The use of "dork" to mean pen*s is because "dork," in that sense, evolved from "dirk"--a dagger, used metaphorically for the male organ.

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    Mackenzie Skeltonposted 6 years ago

    I think that Dork can be used in many ways. I never use the word in a hurtful tone, but I call my boyfriend a dork all the time. He is! but I wouldnt change him for a second. He wouldn't be himself without his dorkiness. I think its cute on him.

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