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[[quoteright:350:[[Film/RevengeOfTheNerds https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/revengenerds.jpg]]]]
[[caption-width-right:350:''[[Creator/DrSeuss And then, just to show them, I'll sail to Ka-Troo\\
and bring back an It-Kutch, a Preep, and a Proo,\\
a Nerkle, a Nerd, and a Seersucker too!]]'']]
->''"If you wanna be a nerd like me, you gotta make some unique sacrifices: No physical fitness, no social popularity, and most importantly -- ''(adjusts specs)'' -- no girls. Nerds before birds."''
-->-- '''Nerd''', ''Film/AngryVideoGameNerdTheMovie''
A Nerd is someone who...actually, it is easier to describe a nerd as what they are ''not.'' Not smooth, not handsome, and not someone you would instantly describe as 'attractive'. Not, above all else, ''popular'' outside a very narrow grouping of fellow-nerds.
The term gets conflated with {{geek}} fairly frequently, as it happens that a nerd can be fairly obsessive/informed about a particular topic. The nerdiest nerd is a nerd who isn't even a geek.
They are oftentimes a walking, talking fashion disaster. One of the odd features of the nerd on TV is that they will be formally dressed (probably as a result of StockCostumeTraits) usually, at ''least'' a plaid polo shirt and slacks. In fact, in real life, both nerds and geeks tend to dress ''more'' casually.
A nerd may be portrayed as pasty, weak, [[GeekPhysiques scrawny]], with NerdGlasses and optional NerdyInhaler. They [[RiseOfZitboy may be covered in facial acne]], have buckteeth, BracesOfOrthodonticOverkill, wear pocket protectors filled with pens, and have UncoolUndies. They are likely to be [[ExtremeDoormat bullied by the jocks]]. If a member of the opposite sex is anywhere within range, they CannotSpitItOut. They may have a lisp, [[NerdyNasalness a high pitched, whiny voice]], and be prone to spitting when they talk. Oh, and [[AnnoyingLaugh snort like pigs when they laugh]].
They also [[PolkaDork like music like polka and accordions]] and play ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons''. Geek girls (and some guys) will have [[QuirkyCurls super frizzy hair]], if it's not done up in GirlishPigtails (the girls, not the guys), and the girls may have [[GirlsWithMustaches facial hair]], [[BigOlUnibrow unibrows]], and be [[HairyGirl very hairy]]. They also display other "uncool" traits such as being a [[MommasBoy momma's/daddy's boy/girl]] or wetting the bed. They may also be obese, instead of scrawny.
It is almost like being a nerd is a bad thing.
These are the nerd stereotypes that were most prevalent in the 70s and 80s, the ones that feature in movies like ''Film/RevengeOfTheNerds'', the sort that Bill Gates and Creator/SteveJobs looked like back in the day. While not quite a DiscreditedTrope due to there being enough TruthInTelevision to GeekPhysiques to keep this one running, more recent portrayals of nerdy characters have become less wholly undesirable, with many landing on an EndearinglyDorky portrayal or outright NerdsAreSexy take. Then there is the TechBro who defies many of the "uncool" traits associated with the typical nerd by being an amalgamation of {{Fratbro}}, CorruptCorporateExecutive, and TheSocialExpert, taking after the younger generation of tech billionaires like [[Website/{{Facebook}} Mark Zuckerberg]] and [[Website/{{Twitter}} Jack Dorsey]] (though they may just be [[ExtravertedNerd wholly unaware of their lack of coolness]]).
Like with {{Geek}}, the definition of a nerd is not set in stone and can vary greatly depending on context. For instance, [[Series/HappyDays Fonzie]]’s earliest uses of the term implied somebody who was average and middle class, in contrast to his own streetwise survival and fighting skills. Creator/DrSeuss’ nerd was a nonsensical (and grouchy-looking) animal in his zoo.
Reoccurring sub-types that have their own page include: AsianAndNerdy, BasementDweller, BollywoodNerd, BlackAndNerdy, ExtravertedNerd, JewishAndNerdy, LovableNerd
See also {{Nerdcore}} and GiveGeeksAChance. Related to IJustWantToHaveFriends when the nerd wants to be more popular. If you're looking for the musical about Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, it's at: ''{{Theatre/Nerds|AMusicalSoftwareSatire}}''. If you're looking for the theatre show about TheThingThatWouldNotLeave, that's ''Theatre/TheNerd''. If you're looking for the children's book series, that's ''Literature/{{NERDS}}''. And if you're looking for the band [=N*E*R*D=], that's on Music/{{Pharrell Williams}}'s page.
----
!!Examples:
[[foldercontrol]]
[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
* Konata Izumi of ''Manga/LuckyStar'' is a self-described hardcore geek, despite being inexplicably athletic.
* Umino Gurio ("Melvin" in TheNineties dub of the [[Anime/SailorMoon first anime]]), Usagi ("Serena") and Naru ("Molly")'s classmate in ''Franchise/SailorMoon''. Originally the girls are creeped out by him whenever he shows up, to only later find out he's a decent guy - he and Naru end up dating. And according to WordOfGod, he's actually completely {{Bishonen}} [[BeautifulAllAlong under his swirly glasses]].
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Comics]]
* ComicBook/KittyPryde of the ComicBook/XMen used to be one. She was a skinny little computer nerd who was jealous of the older X-Women's looks and even needed glasses at one point, though she still had her share of admirers. The trope applied more in real life than within the comics, in fact: so many of today's comic book creators [[RunningTheAsylum grew up]] with a huge crush on Kitty that nowadays she's generally just accepted to be an extremely attractive woman who's also really smart. However, as her attractiveness increased, references to her brains shrank in number; back in the 80s it was hinted that she'd grow up to be another Reed Richards. She's 20-something in comics these days, and her genius-level computer skills can't even hack The Beast's computers. Not to mention, very few modern day adaptations even make reference to her geniusness. The X-Men films didn't even refer to it, and ''WesternAnimation/XMenEvolution'' it was only hinted at, in a manner that when it ''did'' crop up, some viewers were confused as to how she was suddenly so smart. This got to the point that the recent ''A+X'' team-up book's story with her and Tony Stark lampshaded it, with Tony trying to convince her to come work for them so she can actually use her supposed smarts.
* ''ComicBook/RobinSeries'': While Tim himself doesn't count at all, always having been relatively popular and more geek than nerd, most of his friends outside the superhero community are nerds and at one point Tim pointed out to a jock that was picking on one of them that he'd likely be working for him or someone like him in the future.
* ComicBook/SpiderMan: Peter Parker. A scientific genius from a young age, rather milquetoast from being raised by a loving but elderly couple, and in early appearances socially inept and unfashionable. In his subsequent appearances, though he's gotten ProgressivelyPrettier and more confident, he's retained most of his gadget geek, ScienceHero nerdiness.
** However, there being more to him than meets the eye was lampshaded in a flashback scene where he was back in high school and being picked on. A pretty young girl pointedly tells the bullies that they'll be working as janitors someday...in a building that Peter Parker owns.
** ComicBook/DoctorOctopus was similarly nerdy, but it consumed him until he became embittered, vengeful, and villainous. For this reason he's often played as Peter's ShadowArchetype.
* ''ComicBook/SpiderMan2099'': Plays with the typical nerdy Spiderman depiction by having the inheritor to the title Miguel, have some nerdy interests, while also being pretty self-centered and arrogant as opposed to shy and introverted, as a contrast to Peter.
* ComicBook/WonderGirl Cassie Sandsmark started out fairly nerdy--not spending any time concerned about her appearance and clothing, being very interested in history and feeling awkward in most social situations--but she grew out of this characterization.
* ''ComicBook/KunskapensKorridorer'': "Hjärnan" is clearly the smartest student in the class of 8C, to the point that his nick-name means "The Brain". And he also looks like a stereotypical nerd, with glasses and a more conservative dressing style.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Fan Fic]]
* Andy from ''Fanfic/CalvinAndHobbesTheSeries''.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Film -- Live-Action]]
* ''Film/NapoleonDynamite'' is pure nerd. No {{geek}}-ness at all, no skills, knowledge or, quite possibly, any understanding that there might be such things as skill and knowledge.
* The movie series ''Film/RevengeOfTheNerds'', which describe themselves as including the Nerd, the Geek and the Spazz as their heroes (not to mention the slob, in Booger's case).
* ''Film/BackToTheFuture'' Part I: Marty's father, before Marty goes back to 1955 and while he's in 1955.
* Creator/JerryLewis played a ComicBooks nerd in ''Film/ArtistsAndModels''. An early example. He also played a nerdy character in ''Film/{{The Nutty Professor|1963}}''.
* ''Film/TheGamers'' not only knows its subject very well, but also has many in-jokes that only D&D players will get, the first one more than the second one. Both have a cast that was probably cast from D&D players (though some in the second movie are doubtful). It is often referred to as "A D&D movie that mocks D&D players." Jen Page (aka female Luster) was at the time of filming an editor at Wizards of the Coast.
* ''Film/LiveFreeOrDieHard'': "the Warlock", a notorious hacker, is played by Kevin Smith. Yes, ''that'' [[Film/TheViewAskewniverse Kevin Smith]]. Then the KidSidekick is played by Justin Long with his "gonna get beat up in high school" looks. The villain has a team of pizza eating mini-Smith working for him but he himself, meant to be the uber-hacker, is a very sharply dressed Timothy Olyphant with a hot [[EverybodyWasKungFuFighting kung fu fighting]] [[ActionGirl assassin girlfriend]]. However the contrast with those two and everyone else just underlines EvilIsSexy.
* The three main characters in ''Film/{{Superbad}}'' all look like believable teenage outcasts. In fact even the popular cute girls in the movie are only normal-school pretty rather than drop dead gorgeous models.
* The two computer hackers David (Matthew Broderick) consults in ''Film/WarGames.''. One of the nerds in the above mention was played by Creator/EddieDeezen who built his entire career playing nerds starting in the late 70s in such films as ''Film/{{Grease}}'', ''Film/IWannaHoldYourHand'' and ''Film/NineteenFortyOne''.
* ''Film/RealGenius'' shows a wide variety of nerds. Most of the physics students are nerds, including an AsianAndNerdy student, a BasementDweller (sort of), and a TeenGenius. Chris Knight (Val Kilmer), however, is handsome, witty, and outgoing.
* ''Film/MaxKnightUltraSpy'' has this in droves. The villain (Creator/SethGreen) is an uber hacker who, along with his girl posse and various followers, looks and acts like contenders for "the popular kids of the popular kids at high school", and the story takes place at one point at a party that seems to mix hip-hop, R'n'B and rave, people drink out of test tubes, and you have to prove your superior intelligence to get in. You meet one awkward, sweaty nerd (who gets shot down by the female lead) near the start, and the female lead's sister is a borderline case (until the villain takes off her glasses and lets down her hair).
* The eponymous character of ''Film/{{Adam}}'', due to his UsefulNotes/AspergerSyndrome.
* Alan from ''Film/SummerSchool''. He's average looking, an academic underachiever in a family of overachievers, has poor social skills, and speaks in a high, weird voice.
* The ''Film/PoliceAcademy'' film series have several nerdy characters joining the police, among others TheWoobie Carl Sweetchuck and FatComicRelief Thomas "House" Conklin.
* ''Film/DollFactory'': Melvin's as nerdy as they come, having curly hair, NerdGlasses, and a nasally voice.
* ''Film/TheWhiteOrchid'': Claire begins with wireframe glasses, hair in a bun, a shy personality and modest, plain clothes to show her character is a quiet, nerdy detective. When she takes on The White Orchid's style, this changes entirely.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Literature]]
* Note the Geeky Wobbler's ambitions in Creator/TerryPratchett's ''Literature/JohnnyAndTheBomb'': "Wobbler wanted to be a nerd, but they wouldn't let him join. He wanted to be the kid in a deformed anorak and milk-bottom glasses who designs killer software and is a millionaire at thirty. Failing that he'd settle for being someone whose computer [[WalkingTechbane didn't smell of burning plastic whenever he touched it]]."
* Any and all Creator/JohnGreen character. Take your pick. It shouldn't surprise you, given that the guy co-runs a massively popular Website/YouTube channel devoted to nerd advocacy.
* Another Pratchett example: Nijel the Barbarian in ''Literature/{{Sourcery}}'', a scrawny, pimply teenager with ambitions to become a BarbarianHero.
* Eli from ''Literature/TheGeeksShallInheritTheEarth''.
* ''Literature/TheNewestPlutarch'' features Go Nan Jen, a Chinese official who believed that the proper way to defeat an enemy is moving in a way that resembles the hieroglyphs for war, weapons, victory etc.
* Gilbert Bunsen Scrabbler in the ''National Lampoon 1964 High School Yearbook Parody''. Also Belinda Heinke, if girls count.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Live Action TV]]
* ''Series/FamilyMatters''' Steve Urkel and ''Series/SavedByTheBell's'' Screech are the flagships for the male version. Also see his nerdy girlfriend Violet, played by Tori Spelling in NerdGlasses and ugly hairstyle. Steve Urkel's nerdiness is played up even more; his dress style, high pitched voiced and total social awkwardness.
* All the Geeks in ''Beauty And The Geek'', at least to start with. After the obligatory makeover episode some of them clean up quite nicely. (The show is more about nerds than geeks, but "geek" is phonetically closer to "beast" than "nerd.")
* All the geeks of ''Series/FreaksAndGeeks''. It featured nerds more than {{geek}}s, mostly because ''freaks'' and ''nerds'' don't rhyme.
* ''Series/TheBigBangTheory''.
** Amy Farrah Fowler.
** Basically the entire cast (save for Penny).
** Sheldon takes the cake for [[UpToEleven essentially being the token nerd in an entire cast of token nerds.]]
* Stuart Minkus on ''Series/BoyMeetsWorld''. In the episode, ''Cory's Alternative Friends'', Cory decides that he wants to change his hairstyle, but it takes a turn for the worse, leading him to join a group of social outcasts who eat lunch together and have no desire to be normal.
* Owen Pronsky from ''Series/LessThanPerfect'' is a classic example, complete with NerdGlasses, social ineptness and overall weirdness. Also, he sells office supplies for a living.
* ''Series/{{Dollhouse}}''
** Dr. Claire Saunders. Yes, she's played by Creator/AmyAcker but she also has serious facial scars. However their visibility seems to vary from episode to episode.
** Topher on the other hand personifies this trope, though even he isn't exactly unattractive.
** Also heavily lampshaded with Doctor Bennett Halverson, Summer Glau's character. She's so drop dead gorgeous (except for the gimp arm, and that's really not that bad) that Topher assumes she is a doll who "broke" and was imprinted with some important skills - but proves otherwise. Also slightly subverted in a later episode, when we see Bennett at school before a friend gave her a makeover. She's still far from what any sane person would call ugly, but combined with her personality her geekiness becomes believable.
* ''Series/{{Alias}}'''s Marshall Flinkman.
* Malcolm from the ''Series/DoctorWho'' special "Planet of the Dead." Very much a Doctor fanboy, too.
* ''Series/{{iCarly}}'' has Freddie himself as a straight example. Especially in season 1 when the actor's voice hadn't changed and he was shorter than the actresses playing Carly and Sam (to the point of needing a ScullyBox pair of shoes). In the episode 1 of season 2, when Freddie enters, Sam asks "What happened to your voice?" and Freddie replies "I dunno, puberty?" Season 4 he's become a full blown HotScientist as the actor is now nearly 18, spent time in the off-season break working out and is all muscled up.
* "Doc" Soto in ''Series/{{Alcatraz}}'' who when he's not helping catch time traveling criminals runs a comics shop.
* Harold on ''Series/TheRedGreenShow''.
* Garrett and Fat Neil on ''Series/{{Community}}'', the former of whom also has a [[SpeechImpediment pronounced lisp.]]
* Mark Jackson (Gavin Crawford), the teen correspondent for ''Series/ThisHourHas22Minutes'', looks and acts like the stereotypical Type 1 nerd.
* ''Series/{{JAG}}'': Bud describes himself as a Nerd in "The Colonel's Wife".
* ''Series/HouseOfAnubis'': Fabian admits to being one after being lightly teased about it, and Mara also fits- she's obsessed with school, grades, and is the one person in the House who is smarter than Fabian.
* Sam in ''Series/GameOfThrones'' is a medieval version of a nerd: a shy fatty bookworm not very good in physical prowess by any mean, victim of bullying and a disappointment for his harsh warrior father. But very brave nevertheless.
* ''Series/WeirdScience'': Wyatt and Gary (socially awkward school misfits interested in science and comic books) albeit without the traditional depiction of nerds, especially not in their attire.
* Jerry in ''Series/ParkerLewisCantLose'' UpToEleven in the first seasons, although the third and last season made his character less one-dimensional and with more charisma, having other interests apart from "study" like filmmaking.
* In ''Series/LilHorrors'', Webster Swampson, a [[FishPeople piscine boy]] based on various sea monsters is the school brainiac and a bit of a nerd. Often turned to, to get the other Horrors out of a crisis. Storylines based around him usually involve some invention of his.
* On ''Series/{{SCTV}}'', Eugene Levy is particularly good at playing nerd characters, including Brian Johns, Earl Camembert, and "Rockin'" Mel Slirrup.
* Lisa Lupner and her friend Todd on ''Series/SaturdayNightLive''.
* ''Series/{{Psych}}'': One episode has Shawn and Gus visit an old friend of theirs, who was a scrawny nerd obsessed with conspiracy theories. They find him living in a nice house with a hot wife, and he himself looks like an athlete and is successful (also played by Creator/FreddiePrinzeJr). Except once his wife is out of earshot, he reveals that he's still very much a nerd, he just doesn't want his wife to find out. He shows them his secret room with all the conspiracy theory stuff. They urge him to come clean to her, but he refuses. Finally, she stumbles on his secret room (which he forgot to close), and he's forced to admit his nerdiness. She's angry... because she's been forced to hide her own nerdiness from him all this time.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Machinima]]
* Machinima/Supermarioglitchy4sSuperMario64Bloopers: Lakitu, the cameraman. Mario often calls him this, apparently.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Music]]
* Music/TheyMightBeGiants, kings of the nerd rock genre, wrote a song called "The Mesopotamians", which portrays Sargon, Hammurabi, Ashurbanipal, and Gilgamesh as a cross between Music/TheMonkees and Music/{{Gorillaz}}. It's an allegory of the Beatles ("I thought you crashed your car"), and that no one cares about them anymore... save the geeks.
** They also have written songs about President James K. Polk and about mammals. They get the award for Songs That Most Resemble Middle School Term Papers.
* The band 2 Skinnee J's first single was titled "[[http://www.mtv.com/videos/2-skinnee-js/308238/riot-nrrrd.jhtml Riot Nrrrd]]"; this title both represents a claim of affiliation with the RiotGrrrl movement and an attempt to "reclaim" the label "nerd."
* Turn on Creator/G4TV and you're more than likely to find a bumper or two of several {{Nerdcore}} rappers rapping about things that [[{{Muggle}} ordinary people]] would find nerdy; e.g. UsefulNotes/ConsoleWars, computer hacking, hell, even just video gaming in general. The bumps appear to be a movement to turn "nerd" into a term of endearment and/or empowerment. The performers include [=YTCracker=], MC Lars, and [=MCFrontalot=], who looks ''a lot'' like the image at the top of this page. Ironically, the majority of G4's programing has nothing to do with what they claim is their intended demographic.
* Are we not men? We are {{Music/Devo}}!
* Music/DevinTownsend: But Captain Spectacular has seen through Ziltoid's facade, and now sets out to expose Ziltoid for what he really is: a nerd.
* David Byrne, the lead singer of Music/TalkingHeads, seems nerdy.
* Music/WeirdAlYankovic, particularly in the song "White & Nerdy".
* Music/TheDoubleclicks are unashamedly nerdy, but the point there is that nerdy stuff is their primary source of references, often providing metaphors for some moderately serious topics.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Pinball]]
* This is the origin of [[Creator/MidwayGames Bally's]] ''Pinball/DrDude'', who was a computer nerd named "Ben A. Glitch" until he invented the E'''X'''cellent Ray.
[[/folder]]
[[folder: Theatre]]
* The eponymous antagonist in ''Theatre/TheNerd'', Rick, of course. He's extremely socially awkward.
[[/folder]]
[[folder: Video Games]]
* Myron of VideoGame/{{Fallout 2}}, though he is also far more evil than most other examples here, being the inventor of the drug Jet and having killed countless slaves in testing.
* ''Videogame/{{MOTHER}}:''
** ''Videogame/EarthBoundBeginnings'' has Lloyd, an extremely pasty 11-year-old with thick, round glasses and a strong interest in computer software. He's a frequent bullying target at his elementary school, and is first introduced hiding from the bullies in a ''trash can'' on the school's roof. But by the end of the game he's [[TookALevelInBadass taken a level in badass]] and pilots a ''tank.''
** ''Videogame/EarthBound'' has Jeff, an {{Expy}} of Lloyd. He's a freckle-faced 13-year-old in a suit and bowtie, complete with thick glasses and a bowl cut. He's also the BadassNormal of the main party, turning mundane broken items like irons and pipes into amazing, advanced machines that can [[AntiMagic block enemy]] PsychicPowers, [[PowerNullifier nullify enemy shields]], and [[RayGun shoot lasers]].
* The Nerds are one of the four main cliques within Bullworth Academy in ''VideoGame/{{Bully}}''. They can mostly be found in and around the library, and they have a stronghold in the observatory near the football field. Outside of the school, they often meet up in the basement of the comic book shop for games of [[BlandNameProduct Grottos and Gremlins]]. Their combat skills are, as you would expect, sorely lacking compared to most other students, and they often find themselves getting picked on, though they tend to arm themselves with stink bombs and other such weapons in a bid to level the playing field.
* You can pick "Nerd" as your class in ''VideoGame/{{Gauntlet}}: The Third Encounter'' on the UsefulNotes/AtariLynx, and he's dressed in the stereotypical style and carries a textbook with him. He's effectively a JokeCharacter, as he has the lowest Strength and Missile stats, and only marginally better Speed than some other options.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Web Comics]]
* Mindy of ''Webcomic/CinemaBums''. Particularly on subjects related to movies.
%%
%% Couldn't find where the following occurs. In Dilbert? Not much sign of use of that name online. Needs clarification!
%% * The devil tech fannamed "Devilbert". He's also a rare villainous example, albeit of the PunchclockVillain variety.
%%
* ''Webcomic/DinosaurComics'': In [[http://www.qwantz.com/archive/001201.html this]] strip, T-Rex conflates nerds and geeks when he speculates that {{God}}'s omniscience must make him the Ultimate Nerd.
* Eric of ''Webcomic/{{Loserz}}''. See [[http://the-qlc.com/loserz/go/64 here]]. He might still be a {{geek}}, though, and later manages to [[spoiler:get a girlfriend and get laid. Wish fulfillment?]].
* Gary of ''Webcomic/MenageA3'' is a {{geek}} with strong nerd tendencies. In fact, he'd probably end up as a full-on {{hikikomori}} if he didn't have some good friends, EndearinglyDorky looks, and a strange sexual talent. His geeky lack of social skills veers towards nerdish total incompetence, and at the start of the comic, he'd collapse totally if an attractive woman so much as looked at him. He ''wants'' to have friends and lovers, but didn't have a clue how to get them to start with, and even in later strips he displays a painful lack of initiative in pursuing his options. However, his friends didn't have to clean him up much to produce quite appealing results.
* ''Webcomic/QuestionableContent'': Marigold is a pimply MMORPG-addicted nerd with dirty hair and a messy apartment. However SheCleansUpNicely, though this could be InformedAttractiveness. Her friends tell her she's BeautifulAllAlong and boys have hit on her, but her artwork hasn't changed, her clothing hasn't changed and her social skills around strange boys CERTAINLY haven't changed.
* The "cloner nerds" from ''Webcomic/SluggyFreelance'' seem like a pretty extreme example. Then they release a plague that exponentially increases the intelligence of whoever it infects, while ''de''creasing their attractiveness and social skills to the point where they become extremely nerdy [[OurZombiesAreDifferent zombie]] [[NotUsingTheZWord analogues]].
* Ruby of ''Webcomic/StickyDillyBuns'' is arguably a non-standard female example who looks more like a HotLibrarian at first glance. She's quite attractive in HollywoodHomely style, her social ineptitude takes the form of abrasiveness rather than bumbling, she doesn't seem very interested in science or computers (her degree is in Business Administration), and we have no evidence about her physical fitness. However, the glasses, the opinionated attitude, the total lack of ''cool'' (she's downright neurotic), [[NerdsAreVirgins the virginity]], and the privileging of intellect over social relationships, are classic nerd. If she is a nerd, though, she's the sort who {{geek}}s despise, because she tries to use her intelligence for profit rather than for a hobby. But then again, she eventually succeeds — especially when she spots a business opportunity that she can also treat as a geeky hobby.
* ''Webcomic/ExistentialComics'': The [[StrawVulcan Logical Positivists of the Vienna Circle]] are dorky [[EvenNerdsHaveStandards even by the standards of philosophers]].
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Web Original]]
* When Terry of ''WebVideo/KateModern'' joins the Hymn of One, he becomes a cheerful, mild-mannered nerd, complete with a cardigan and, inexplicably, NerdGlasses. [[spoiler:In "Precious Blood" it is revealed that the nerd persona was all an act. One of the first things he does after being discovered is to get rid of the cardigan and [[TheGlassesComeOff the glasses]] - he can see just fine without them]].
* "Bad Decision?", Chapter 2 of ''WebVideo/LG15TheResistance'' features "the sexy nineteen-year-old fact finder also known as... Research Nerd!" (actually Sarah with NerdGlasses, a collared shirt and tie and her hair tied back).
* Spencer from ''WebVideo/{{lonelygirl15}}'' is a scientist who likes to wave a lightsaber around and claims he can't exercise because he suffers from nociception. All together: "What Up, Blogosphere!"
* WebVideo/TheAngryVideoGameNerd. And here, we speak about the character, not the actor James Rolfe, who actually got a life on his own. And even the Nerd character only has the look of nerds in the general, his popularity is immense. Just don't imitate his style in real life.
* WebVideo/TheNostalgiaCritic has a {{troll}} nerd ("Douchy [=McNitpick=]") who constantly points out the errors in his reviews.
* ''WebVideo/DragonBallZAbridged'' has Piccolo refer to Son Gohan as a nerd, whenever he goes off on a rant.
* In ''WebVideo/{{Doppelganger}}'' nerds form an entire clique. Victor is one and so is Lisa to a lesser extent. However, Victor is ''so'' nerdy [[EvenNerdsHaveStandards even the nerds don't want him.]]
* Pretty much every deviser or gadgeteer at SuperheroSchool Whateley Academy in the Literature/WhateleyUniverse. Even the attractive ones (like Bugs and Widget) tend to be obsessive about their inventions, weird in various ways, etc. Bugs has a fascination with the egg, even building inventions into egg shapes.
* [[WebVideo/MatthewSantoro Matt Santoro]] has a very nerdy clone named Eugene, who is socially inept and wears NerdGlasses.
* Cyrus Soliveré of ''Literature/CaelumLex'' is a prodigal engineer who loves his craft a little too much and spends a great deal of time nerding out about engines, sometimes with fellow nerd Adrasteia Atelier.
* Karl Hadrika's [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcchrgJgryo "Becky Prim"]] proof-of-concept {{pilot}} has Norville. He dresses similar to [[Series/FamilyMatters Urkel]], talks and acts like [[WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy Neil Goldman]], and has a StalkerShrine to Becky in his closet. He's described in Hardika's Website/{{Tumblr}} [[http://karlhadrika.tumblr.com/ blog]] as "one part hapless nerd, one part horny sock puppet. Just a… just a punchable husk of repulsion [[TheChewToy you’re allowed to hate.]] Don’t even worry about it".
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Western Animation]]
* ''WesternAnimation/CodenameKidsNextDoor'': Nerd [[EverythingsDeaderWithZombies zombies]], geeking up over a Yipper card. Of course, they weren't really zombies, just painfully obsessed.
* ''WesternAnimation/CraigOfTheCreek'' has the Elders of the Creek. They're a reclusive bunch who spend their time playing board games dressed as fantasy characters.
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Daria}}'' to some extent. She has many of the normal tropes associated with nerds; NerdGlasses, good grades, unpopularity, niche interests and being social outcast. Nevertheless these facets are often overlooked because the character also breaks many of the stereotype been a DeadpanSnarker and TheCynic. If anything she's more likely to be doing the bullying than the other way around.
* ''WesternAnimation/FetchWithRuffRuffman'''s Glen, or as he likes to be known as, "Glendalf".
* ''WesternAnimation/HeyArnold!'' has all Type 1 nerds. Unfortunately there was an episode where Rhonda is forced to wear glasses and is immediately classified as a type 2 nerd despite looking perfectly normal. And this episode was made AFTER ''Literature/HarryPotter'' came out in America.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'':
** The show referenced the difference when Milhouse insists to Bart he's "Not a nerd. Nerds are smart." Which is actually roughly the reverse of the definitions being used here, although "smart" ''is'' an attribute commonly associated with nerds.
** There was an episode where Homer went to college and yelled "Neeerrrd!" at a passing student.
** The same episode introduced the three nerds Benjamin, Doug and Gary.
** In the ShowWithinAShow, ''School of Hard Knockers'', "Nerd" was apparently a catch-all to describe anyone who wasn't a Jock. Basically, taking the ''Series/SavedByTheBell'' viewpoint and then dumbing it down to Homer's level.
** And there's the Comic Book Guy.
* ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'', believe it or not, isn't limited to this neither;
** Episode "Putting Your Hoof Down", has a stereotypically nerdy pony with taped glasses, moustache, unfashionable mane-cut, bowtie, acne, and robot cutie mark. When he buys the last asparagus, which Fluttershy wanted, Rarity tricks him into selling it back to Fluttershy [[DistractedByTheSexy by calling him strong and handsome]].
** A slightly more socially adjusted example is Twilight Sparkle herself.
** A Season 5 episode reveals that Twilight's old Canterlot friend Moondancer is this too - and after Twilight left town, became even more of an introvert who rarely spoke to anyone.
* The Canadian animated series ''WesternAnimation/NerdsAndMonsters'' stars a group of nerds - and a DumbJock - stuck on an island inhabited by monsters.
* ''WesternAnimation/PoliceAcademyTheAnimatedSeries'' as in the films several characters can be considered nerds, but the most radical example is Carl Sweetchuck who suffered a certain degree of {{flanderization}} from his movie counterpart.
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Recess}}'':
** Gretchen Grundler in terms of speaking like her nose is clogged up, wearing glasses and being a ChildProdigy.
** Gus Griswald dresses like one, but isn't really one personality-wise.
** The Pale Kids who opt to stay indoors during Recess and do science experiments.
** Vince discovers in one episode that his older brother Chad is really one, and fears he'll become one as he gets older.
* ''WesternAnimation/TotalDrama'':
** The first generation of contestants has Harold, Noah, and Cody. All three are very skinny and physically unimpressive, quite intelligent, and have geeky interests or mannerisms, but represent different nerd stereotypes. Harold is awkward, eccentric, and has NerdGlasses; Noah is a lazy and antisocial InsufferableGenius; and Cody is a CasanovaWannabe oblivious to how much of a dweeb he is.
** From the same generation, there's Beth too. She is one of few girls who doesn't look like a supermodel, is [[NotGoodWithPeople socially awkward]], has NerdGlasses and BracesOfOrthodonticOverkill, and has a [[spoiler:not so]] imaginary boyfriend. However, she doesn't have any nerdy interests like Harold, Noah, and Cody do, making her more of a downplayed example.
** The second generation adds the BlackAndNerdy Cameron (a BubbleBoy with lots of booksmarts but little in the way of strength or social skills) as well as an overweight video game geek named Sam (who manages to gain a girlfriend in the rich, popular, and attractive Dakota).
** The third generation includes a {{LARP}}er named Leonard, a whiny and neurotic {{Bollywood Nerd}} named Dave and TeenGenius Scarlett, who appears to be the classic shy, bookish, glasses-wearing nerdy girl at first glance but is in fact a BitchInSheepsClothing NerdyBully.
* [[BollywoodNerd Baljeet]], Carl, (Fireside Girl) Gretchen, Irving, and Albert from ''WesternAnimation/PhineasAndFerb''.
* ''WesternAnimation/RobotChicken'' has a recurring, unnamed nerd character as one of the most recurring characters in the series, only referred to as simply The Nerd. He frequently daydreams about being part of various odd situations and franchises whenever he appears.
* Cedric in ''WesternAnimation/TheRaccoons'' alongside his NerdGlasses and bowtie. Subverted in the sports' part as he is shown to be very good at playing baseball, swiming and fishing.
* ''WesternAnimation/ReadyJetGo'': Sean is the show's ButtMonkey who is also TheSmartGuy, wielding a vast knowledge of space and science, owing to his mother working at the Deep Space Array. But he's also EndearinglyDorky and a LovableNerd.
[[/folder]]
[[noreallife]]
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%% Image selected per Image Pickin' thread: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=1388601482075376100
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[[quoteright:350:[[Film/RevengeOfTheNerds https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/revengenerds.jpg]]]]
[[caption-width-right:350:''[[Creator/DrSeuss And then, just to show them, I'll sail to Ka-Troo\\
and bring back an It-Kutch, a Preep, and a Proo,\\
a Nerkle, a Nerd, and a Seersucker too!]]'']]
->''"If you wanna be a nerd like me, you gotta make some unique sacrifices: No physical fitness, no social popularity, and most importantly -- ''(adjusts specs)'' -- no girls. Nerds before birds."''
-->-- '''Nerd''', ''Film/AngryVideoGameNerdTheMovie''
A Nerd is someone who...actually, it is easier to describe a nerd as what they are ''not.'' Not smooth, not handsome, and not someone you would instantly describe as 'attractive'. Not, above all else, ''popular'' outside a very narrow grouping of fellow-nerds.
The term gets conflated with {{geek}} fairly frequently, as it happens that a nerd can be fairly obsessive/informed about a particular topic. The nerdiest nerd is a nerd who isn't even a geek.
They are oftentimes a walking, talking fashion disaster. One of the odd features of the nerd on TV is that they will be formally dressed (probably as a result of StockCostumeTraits) usually, at ''least'' a plaid polo shirt and slacks. In fact, in real life, both nerds and geeks tend to dress ''more'' casually.
A nerd may be portrayed as pasty, weak, [[GeekPhysiques scrawny]], with NerdGlasses and optional NerdyInhaler. They [[RiseOfZitboy may be covered in facial acne]], have buckteeth, BracesOfOrthodonticOverkill, wear pocket protectors filled with pens, and have UncoolUndies. They are likely to be [[ExtremeDoormat bullied by the jocks]]. If a member of the opposite sex is anywhere within range, they CannotSpitItOut. They may have a lisp, [[NerdyNasalness a high pitched, whiny voice]], and be prone to spitting when they talk. Oh, and [[AnnoyingLaugh snort like pigs when they laugh]].
They also [[PolkaDork like music like polka and accordions]] and play ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons''. Geek girls (and some guys) will have [[QuirkyCurls super frizzy hair]], if it's not done up in GirlishPigtails (the girls, not the guys), and the girls may have [[GirlsWithMustaches facial hair]], [[BigOlUnibrow unibrows]], and be [[HairyGirl very hairy]]. They also display other "uncool" traits such as being a [[MommasBoy momma's/daddy's boy/girl]] or wetting the bed. They may also be obese, instead of scrawny.
It is almost like being a nerd is a bad thing.
These are the nerd stereotypes that were most prevalent in the 70s and 80s, the ones that feature in movies like ''Film/RevengeOfTheNerds'', the sort that Bill Gates and Creator/SteveJobs looked like back in the day. While not quite a DiscreditedTrope due to there being enough TruthInTelevision to GeekPhysiques to keep this one running, more recent portrayals of nerdy characters have become less wholly undesirable, with many landing on an EndearinglyDorky portrayal or outright NerdsAreSexy take. Then there is the TechBro who defies many of the "uncool" traits associated with the typical nerd by being an amalgamation of {{Fratbro}}, CorruptCorporateExecutive, and TheSocialExpert, taking after the younger generation of tech billionaires like [[Website/{{Facebook}} Mark Zuckerberg]] and [[Website/{{Twitter}} Jack Dorsey]] (though they may just be [[ExtravertedNerd wholly unaware of their lack of coolness]]).
Like with {{Geek}}, the definition of a nerd is not set in stone and can vary greatly depending on context. For instance, [[Series/HappyDays Fonzie]]’s earliest uses of the term implied somebody who was average and middle class, in contrast to his own streetwise survival and fighting skills. Creator/DrSeuss’ nerd was a nonsensical (and grouchy-looking) animal in his zoo.
Reoccurring sub-types that have their own page include: AsianAndNerdy, BasementDweller, BollywoodNerd, BlackAndNerdy, ExtravertedNerd, JewishAndNerdy, LovableNerd
See also {{Nerdcore}} and GiveGeeksAChance. Related to IJustWantToHaveFriends when the nerd wants to be more popular. If you're looking for the musical about Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, it's at: ''{{Theatre/Nerds|AMusicalSoftwareSatire}}''. If you're looking for the theatre show about TheThingThatWouldNotLeave, that's ''Theatre/TheNerd''. If you're looking for the children's book series, that's ''Literature/{{NERDS}}''. And if you're looking for the band [=N*E*R*D=], that's on Music/{{Pharrell Williams}}'s page.
----
!!Examples:
[[foldercontrol]]
[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
* Konata Izumi of ''Manga/LuckyStar'' is a self-described hardcore geek, despite being inexplicably athletic.
* Umino Gurio ("Melvin" in TheNineties dub of the [[Anime/SailorMoon first anime]]), Usagi ("Serena") and Naru ("Molly")'s classmate in ''Franchise/SailorMoon''. Originally the girls are creeped out by him whenever he shows up, to only later find out he's a decent guy - he and Naru end up dating. And according to WordOfGod, he's actually completely {{Bishonen}} [[BeautifulAllAlong under his swirly glasses]].
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Comics]]
* ComicBook/KittyPryde of the ComicBook/XMen used to be one. She was a skinny little computer nerd who was jealous of the older X-Women's looks and even needed glasses at one point, though she still had her share of admirers. The trope applied more in real life than within the comics, in fact: so many of today's comic book creators [[RunningTheAsylum grew up]] with a huge crush on Kitty that nowadays she's generally just accepted to be an extremely attractive woman who's also really smart. However, as her attractiveness increased, references to her brains shrank in number; back in the 80s it was hinted that she'd grow up to be another Reed Richards. She's 20-something in comics these days, and her genius-level computer skills can't even hack The Beast's computers. Not to mention, very few modern day adaptations even make reference to her geniusness. The X-Men films didn't even refer to it, and ''WesternAnimation/XMenEvolution'' it was only hinted at, in a manner that when it ''did'' crop up, some viewers were confused as to how she was suddenly so smart. This got to the point that the recent ''A+X'' team-up book's story with her and Tony Stark lampshaded it, with Tony trying to convince her to come work for them so she can actually use her supposed smarts.
* ''ComicBook/RobinSeries'': While Tim himself doesn't count at all, always having been relatively popular and more geek than nerd, most of his friends outside the superhero community are nerds and at one point Tim pointed out to a jock that was picking on one of them that he'd likely be working for him or someone like him in the future.
* ComicBook/SpiderMan: Peter Parker. A scientific genius from a young age, rather milquetoast from being raised by a loving but elderly couple, and in early appearances socially inept and unfashionable. In his subsequent appearances, though he's gotten ProgressivelyPrettier and more confident, he's retained most of his gadget geek, ScienceHero nerdiness.
** However, there being more to him than meets the eye was lampshaded in a flashback scene where he was back in high school and being picked on. A pretty young girl pointedly tells the bullies that they'll be working as janitors someday...in a building that Peter Parker owns.
** ComicBook/DoctorOctopus was similarly nerdy, but it consumed him until he became embittered, vengeful, and villainous. For this reason he's often played as Peter's ShadowArchetype.
* ''ComicBook/SpiderMan2099'': Plays with the typical nerdy Spiderman depiction by having the inheritor to the title Miguel, have some nerdy interests, while also being pretty self-centered and arrogant as opposed to shy and introverted, as a contrast to Peter.
* ComicBook/WonderGirl Cassie Sandsmark started out fairly nerdy--not spending any time concerned about her appearance and clothing, being very interested in history and feeling awkward in most social situations--but she grew out of this characterization.
* ''ComicBook/KunskapensKorridorer'': "Hjärnan" is clearly the smartest student in the class of 8C, to the point that his nick-name means "The Brain". And he also looks like a stereotypical nerd, with glasses and a more conservative dressing style.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Fan Fic]]
* Andy from ''Fanfic/CalvinAndHobbesTheSeries''.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Film -- Live-Action]]
* ''Film/NapoleonDynamite'' is pure nerd. No {{geek}}-ness at all, no skills, knowledge or, quite possibly, any understanding that there might be such things as skill and knowledge.
* The movie series ''Film/RevengeOfTheNerds'', which describe themselves as including the Nerd, the Geek and the Spazz as their heroes (not to mention the slob, in Booger's case).
* ''Film/BackToTheFuture'' Part I: Marty's father, before Marty goes back to 1955 and while he's in 1955.
* Creator/JerryLewis played a ComicBooks nerd in ''Film/ArtistsAndModels''. An early example. He also played a nerdy character in ''Film/{{The Nutty Professor|1963}}''.
* ''Film/TheGamers'' not only knows its subject very well, but also has many in-jokes that only D&D players will get, the first one more than the second one. Both have a cast that was probably cast from D&D players (though some in the second movie are doubtful). It is often referred to as "A D&D movie that mocks D&D players." Jen Page (aka female Luster) was at the time of filming an editor at Wizards of the Coast.
* ''Film/LiveFreeOrDieHard'': "the Warlock", a notorious hacker, is played by Kevin Smith. Yes, ''that'' [[Film/TheViewAskewniverse Kevin Smith]]. Then the KidSidekick is played by Justin Long with his "gonna get beat up in high school" looks. The villain has a team of pizza eating mini-Smith working for him but he himself, meant to be the uber-hacker, is a very sharply dressed Timothy Olyphant with a hot [[EverybodyWasKungFuFighting kung fu fighting]] [[ActionGirl assassin girlfriend]]. However the contrast with those two and everyone else just underlines EvilIsSexy.
* The three main characters in ''Film/{{Superbad}}'' all look like believable teenage outcasts. In fact even the popular cute girls in the movie are only normal-school pretty rather than drop dead gorgeous models.
* The two computer hackers David (Matthew Broderick) consults in ''Film/WarGames.''. One of the nerds in the above mention was played by Creator/EddieDeezen who built his entire career playing nerds starting in the late 70s in such films as ''Film/{{Grease}}'', ''Film/IWannaHoldYourHand'' and ''Film/NineteenFortyOne''.
* ''Film/RealGenius'' shows a wide variety of nerds. Most of the physics students are nerds, including an AsianAndNerdy student, a BasementDweller (sort of), and a TeenGenius. Chris Knight (Val Kilmer), however, is handsome, witty, and outgoing.
* ''Film/MaxKnightUltraSpy'' has this in droves. The villain (Creator/SethGreen) is an uber hacker who, along with his girl posse and various followers, looks and acts like contenders for "the popular kids of the popular kids at high school", and the story takes place at one point at a party that seems to mix hip-hop, R'n'B and rave, people drink out of test tubes, and you have to prove your superior intelligence to get in. You meet one awkward, sweaty nerd (who gets shot down by the female lead) near the start, and the female lead's sister is a borderline case (until the villain takes off her glasses and lets down her hair).
* The eponymous character of ''Film/{{Adam}}'', due to his UsefulNotes/AspergerSyndrome.
* Alan from ''Film/SummerSchool''. He's average looking, an academic underachiever in a family of overachievers, has poor social skills, and speaks in a high, weird voice.
* The ''Film/PoliceAcademy'' film series have several nerdy characters joining the police, among others TheWoobie Carl Sweetchuck and FatComicRelief Thomas "House" Conklin.
* ''Film/DollFactory'': Melvin's as nerdy as they come, having curly hair, NerdGlasses, and a nasally voice.
* ''Film/TheWhiteOrchid'': Claire begins with wireframe glasses, hair in a bun, a shy personality and modest, plain clothes to show her character is a quiet, nerdy detective. When she takes on The White Orchid's style, this changes entirely.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Literature]]
* Note the Geeky Wobbler's ambitions in Creator/TerryPratchett's ''Literature/JohnnyAndTheBomb'': "Wobbler wanted to be a nerd, but they wouldn't let him join. He wanted to be the kid in a deformed anorak and milk-bottom glasses who designs killer software and is a millionaire at thirty. Failing that he'd settle for being someone whose computer [[WalkingTechbane didn't smell of burning plastic whenever he touched it]]."
* Any and all Creator/JohnGreen character. Take your pick. It shouldn't surprise you, given that the guy co-runs a massively popular Website/YouTube channel devoted to nerd advocacy.
* Another Pratchett example: Nijel the Barbarian in ''Literature/{{Sourcery}}'', a scrawny, pimply teenager with ambitions to become a BarbarianHero.
* Eli from ''Literature/TheGeeksShallInheritTheEarth''.
* ''Literature/TheNewestPlutarch'' features Go Nan Jen, a Chinese official who believed that the proper way to defeat an enemy is moving in a way that resembles the hieroglyphs for war, weapons, victory etc.
* Gilbert Bunsen Scrabbler in the ''National Lampoon 1964 High School Yearbook Parody''. Also Belinda Heinke, if girls count.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Live Action TV]]
* ''Series/FamilyMatters''' Steve Urkel and ''Series/SavedByTheBell's'' Screech are the flagships for the male version. Also see his nerdy girlfriend Violet, played by Tori Spelling in NerdGlasses and ugly hairstyle. Steve Urkel's nerdiness is played up even more; his dress style, high pitched voiced and total social awkwardness.
* All the Geeks in ''Beauty And The Geek'', at least to start with. After the obligatory makeover episode some of them clean up quite nicely. (The show is more about nerds than geeks, but "geek" is phonetically closer to "beast" than "nerd.")
* All the geeks of ''Series/FreaksAndGeeks''. It featured nerds more than {{geek}}s, mostly because ''freaks'' and ''nerds'' don't rhyme.
* ''Series/TheBigBangTheory''.
** Amy Farrah Fowler.
** Basically the entire cast (save for Penny).
** Sheldon takes the cake for [[UpToEleven essentially being the token nerd in an entire cast of token nerds.]]
* Stuart Minkus on ''Series/BoyMeetsWorld''. In the episode, ''Cory's Alternative Friends'', Cory decides that he wants to change his hairstyle, but it takes a turn for the worse, leading him to join a group of social outcasts who eat lunch together and have no desire to be normal.
* Owen Pronsky from ''Series/LessThanPerfect'' is a classic example, complete with NerdGlasses, social ineptness and overall weirdness. Also, he sells office supplies for a living.
* ''Series/{{Dollhouse}}''
** Dr. Claire Saunders. Yes, she's played by Creator/AmyAcker but she also has serious facial scars. However their visibility seems to vary from episode to episode.
** Topher on the other hand personifies this trope, though even he isn't exactly unattractive.
** Also heavily lampshaded with Doctor Bennett Halverson, Summer Glau's character. She's so drop dead gorgeous (except for the gimp arm, and that's really not that bad) that Topher assumes she is a doll who "broke" and was imprinted with some important skills - but proves otherwise. Also slightly subverted in a later episode, when we see Bennett at school before a friend gave her a makeover. She's still far from what any sane person would call ugly, but combined with her personality her geekiness becomes believable.
* ''Series/{{Alias}}'''s Marshall Flinkman.
* Malcolm from the ''Series/DoctorWho'' special "Planet of the Dead." Very much a Doctor fanboy, too.
* ''Series/{{iCarly}}'' has Freddie himself as a straight example. Especially in season 1 when the actor's voice hadn't changed and he was shorter than the actresses playing Carly and Sam (to the point of needing a ScullyBox pair of shoes). In the episode 1 of season 2, when Freddie enters, Sam asks "What happened to your voice?" and Freddie replies "I dunno, puberty?" Season 4 he's become a full blown HotScientist as the actor is now nearly 18, spent time in the off-season break working out and is all muscled up.
* "Doc" Soto in ''Series/{{Alcatraz}}'' who when he's not helping catch time traveling criminals runs a comics shop.
* Harold on ''Series/TheRedGreenShow''.
* Garrett and Fat Neil on ''Series/{{Community}}'', the former of whom also has a [[SpeechImpediment pronounced lisp.]]
* Mark Jackson (Gavin Crawford), the teen correspondent for ''Series/ThisHourHas22Minutes'', looks and acts like the stereotypical Type 1 nerd.
* ''Series/{{JAG}}'': Bud describes himself as a Nerd in "The Colonel's Wife".
* ''Series/HouseOfAnubis'': Fabian admits to being one after being lightly teased about it, and Mara also fits- she's obsessed with school, grades, and is the one person in the House who is smarter than Fabian.
* Sam in ''Series/GameOfThrones'' is a medieval version of a nerd: a shy fatty bookworm not very good in physical prowess by any mean, victim of bullying and a disappointment for his harsh warrior father. But very brave nevertheless.
* ''Series/WeirdScience'': Wyatt and Gary (socially awkward school misfits interested in science and comic books) albeit without the traditional depiction of nerds, especially not in their attire.
* Jerry in ''Series/ParkerLewisCantLose'' UpToEleven in the first seasons, although the third and last season made his character less one-dimensional and with more charisma, having other interests apart from "study" like filmmaking.
* In ''Series/LilHorrors'', Webster Swampson, a [[FishPeople piscine boy]] based on various sea monsters is the school brainiac and a bit of a nerd. Often turned to, to get the other Horrors out of a crisis. Storylines based around him usually involve some invention of his.
* On ''Series/{{SCTV}}'', Eugene Levy is particularly good at playing nerd characters, including Brian Johns, Earl Camembert, and "Rockin'" Mel Slirrup.
* Lisa Lupner and her friend Todd on ''Series/SaturdayNightLive''.
* ''Series/{{Psych}}'': One episode has Shawn and Gus visit an old friend of theirs, who was a scrawny nerd obsessed with conspiracy theories. They find him living in a nice house with a hot wife, and he himself looks like an athlete and is successful (also played by Creator/FreddiePrinzeJr). Except once his wife is out of earshot, he reveals that he's still very much a nerd, he just doesn't want his wife to find out. He shows them his secret room with all the conspiracy theory stuff. They urge him to come clean to her, but he refuses. Finally, she stumbles on his secret room (which he forgot to close), and he's forced to admit his nerdiness. She's angry... because she's been forced to hide her own nerdiness from him all this time.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Machinima]]
* Machinima/Supermarioglitchy4sSuperMario64Bloopers: Lakitu, the cameraman. Mario often calls him this, apparently.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Music]]
* Music/TheyMightBeGiants, kings of the nerd rock genre, wrote a song called "The Mesopotamians", which portrays Sargon, Hammurabi, Ashurbanipal, and Gilgamesh as a cross between Music/TheMonkees and Music/{{Gorillaz}}. It's an allegory of the Beatles ("I thought you crashed your car"), and that no one cares about them anymore... save the geeks.
** They also have written songs about President James K. Polk and about mammals. They get the award for Songs That Most Resemble Middle School Term Papers.
* The band 2 Skinnee J's first single was titled "[[http://www.mtv.com/videos/2-skinnee-js/308238/riot-nrrrd.jhtml Riot Nrrrd]]"; this title both represents a claim of affiliation with the RiotGrrrl movement and an attempt to "reclaim" the label "nerd."
* Turn on Creator/G4TV and you're more than likely to find a bumper or two of several {{Nerdcore}} rappers rapping about things that [[{{Muggle}} ordinary people]] would find nerdy; e.g. UsefulNotes/ConsoleWars, computer hacking, hell, even just video gaming in general. The bumps appear to be a movement to turn "nerd" into a term of endearment and/or empowerment. The performers include [=YTCracker=], MC Lars, and [=MCFrontalot=], who looks ''a lot'' like the image at the top of this page. Ironically, the majority of G4's programing has nothing to do with what they claim is their intended demographic.
* Are we not men? We are {{Music/Devo}}!
* Music/DevinTownsend: But Captain Spectacular has seen through Ziltoid's facade, and now sets out to expose Ziltoid for what he really is: a nerd.
* David Byrne, the lead singer of Music/TalkingHeads, seems nerdy.
* Music/WeirdAlYankovic, particularly in the song "White & Nerdy".
* Music/TheDoubleclicks are unashamedly nerdy, but the point there is that nerdy stuff is their primary source of references, often providing metaphors for some moderately serious topics.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Pinball]]
* This is the origin of [[Creator/MidwayGames Bally's]] ''Pinball/DrDude'', who was a computer nerd named "Ben A. Glitch" until he invented the E'''X'''cellent Ray.
[[/folder]]
[[folder: Theatre]]
* The eponymous antagonist in ''Theatre/TheNerd'', Rick, of course. He's extremely socially awkward.
[[/folder]]
[[folder: Video Games]]
* Myron of VideoGame/{{Fallout 2}}, though he is also far more evil than most other examples here, being the inventor of the drug Jet and having killed countless slaves in testing.
* ''Videogame/{{MOTHER}}:''
** ''Videogame/EarthBoundBeginnings'' has Lloyd, an extremely pasty 11-year-old with thick, round glasses and a strong interest in computer software. He's a frequent bullying target at his elementary school, and is first introduced hiding from the bullies in a ''trash can'' on the school's roof. But by the end of the game he's [[TookALevelInBadass taken a level in badass]] and pilots a ''tank.''
** ''Videogame/EarthBound'' has Jeff, an {{Expy}} of Lloyd. He's a freckle-faced 13-year-old in a suit and bowtie, complete with thick glasses and a bowl cut. He's also the BadassNormal of the main party, turning mundane broken items like irons and pipes into amazing, advanced machines that can [[AntiMagic block enemy]] PsychicPowers, [[PowerNullifier nullify enemy shields]], and [[RayGun shoot lasers]].
* The Nerds are one of the four main cliques within Bullworth Academy in ''VideoGame/{{Bully}}''. They can mostly be found in and around the library, and they have a stronghold in the observatory near the football field. Outside of the school, they often meet up in the basement of the comic book shop for games of [[BlandNameProduct Grottos and Gremlins]]. Their combat skills are, as you would expect, sorely lacking compared to most other students, and they often find themselves getting picked on, though they tend to arm themselves with stink bombs and other such weapons in a bid to level the playing field.
* You can pick "Nerd" as your class in ''VideoGame/{{Gauntlet}}: The Third Encounter'' on the UsefulNotes/AtariLynx, and he's dressed in the stereotypical style and carries a textbook with him. He's effectively a JokeCharacter, as he has the lowest Strength and Missile stats, and only marginally better Speed than some other options.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Web Comics]]
* Mindy of ''Webcomic/CinemaBums''. Particularly on subjects related to movies.
%%
%% Couldn't find where the following occurs. In Dilbert? Not much sign of use of that name online. Needs clarification!
%% * The devil tech fannamed "Devilbert". He's also a rare villainous example, albeit of the PunchclockVillain variety.
%%
* ''Webcomic/DinosaurComics'': In [[http://www.qwantz.com/archive/001201.html this]] strip, T-Rex conflates nerds and geeks when he speculates that {{God}}'s omniscience must make him the Ultimate Nerd.
* Eric of ''Webcomic/{{Loserz}}''. See [[http://the-qlc.com/loserz/go/64 here]]. He might still be a {{geek}}, though, and later manages to [[spoiler:get a girlfriend and get laid. Wish fulfillment?]].
* Gary of ''Webcomic/MenageA3'' is a {{geek}} with strong nerd tendencies. In fact, he'd probably end up as a full-on {{hikikomori}} if he didn't have some good friends, EndearinglyDorky looks, and a strange sexual talent. His geeky lack of social skills veers towards nerdish total incompetence, and at the start of the comic, he'd collapse totally if an attractive woman so much as looked at him. He ''wants'' to have friends and lovers, but didn't have a clue how to get them to start with, and even in later strips he displays a painful lack of initiative in pursuing his options. However, his friends didn't have to clean him up much to produce quite appealing results.
* ''Webcomic/QuestionableContent'': Marigold is a pimply MMORPG-addicted nerd with dirty hair and a messy apartment. However SheCleansUpNicely, though this could be InformedAttractiveness. Her friends tell her she's BeautifulAllAlong and boys have hit on her, but her artwork hasn't changed, her clothing hasn't changed and her social skills around strange boys CERTAINLY haven't changed.
* The "cloner nerds" from ''Webcomic/SluggyFreelance'' seem like a pretty extreme example. Then they release a plague that exponentially increases the intelligence of whoever it infects, while ''de''creasing their attractiveness and social skills to the point where they become extremely nerdy [[OurZombiesAreDifferent zombie]] [[NotUsingTheZWord analogues]].
* Ruby of ''Webcomic/StickyDillyBuns'' is arguably a non-standard female example who looks more like a HotLibrarian at first glance. She's quite attractive in HollywoodHomely style, her social ineptitude takes the form of abrasiveness rather than bumbling, she doesn't seem very interested in science or computers (her degree is in Business Administration), and we have no evidence about her physical fitness. However, the glasses, the opinionated attitude, the total lack of ''cool'' (she's downright neurotic), [[NerdsAreVirgins the virginity]], and the privileging of intellect over social relationships, are classic nerd. If she is a nerd, though, she's the sort who {{geek}}s despise, because she tries to use her intelligence for profit rather than for a hobby. But then again, she eventually succeeds — especially when she spots a business opportunity that she can also treat as a geeky hobby.
* ''Webcomic/ExistentialComics'': The [[StrawVulcan Logical Positivists of the Vienna Circle]] are dorky [[EvenNerdsHaveStandards even by the standards of philosophers]].
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Web Original]]
* When Terry of ''WebVideo/KateModern'' joins the Hymn of One, he becomes a cheerful, mild-mannered nerd, complete with a cardigan and, inexplicably, NerdGlasses. [[spoiler:In "Precious Blood" it is revealed that the nerd persona was all an act. One of the first things he does after being discovered is to get rid of the cardigan and [[TheGlassesComeOff the glasses]] - he can see just fine without them]].
* "Bad Decision?", Chapter 2 of ''WebVideo/LG15TheResistance'' features "the sexy nineteen-year-old fact finder also known as... Research Nerd!" (actually Sarah with NerdGlasses, a collared shirt and tie and her hair tied back).
* Spencer from ''WebVideo/{{lonelygirl15}}'' is a scientist who likes to wave a lightsaber around and claims he can't exercise because he suffers from nociception. All together: "What Up, Blogosphere!"
* WebVideo/TheAngryVideoGameNerd. And here, we speak about the character, not the actor James Rolfe, who actually got a life on his own. And even the Nerd character only has the look of nerds in the general, his popularity is immense. Just don't imitate his style in real life.
* WebVideo/TheNostalgiaCritic has a {{troll}} nerd ("Douchy [=McNitpick=]") who constantly points out the errors in his reviews.
* ''WebVideo/DragonBallZAbridged'' has Piccolo refer to Son Gohan as a nerd, whenever he goes off on a rant.
* In ''WebVideo/{{Doppelganger}}'' nerds form an entire clique. Victor is one and so is Lisa to a lesser extent. However, Victor is ''so'' nerdy [[EvenNerdsHaveStandards even the nerds don't want him.]]
* Pretty much every deviser or gadgeteer at SuperheroSchool Whateley Academy in the Literature/WhateleyUniverse. Even the attractive ones (like Bugs and Widget) tend to be obsessive about their inventions, weird in various ways, etc. Bugs has a fascination with the egg, even building inventions into egg shapes.
* [[WebVideo/MatthewSantoro Matt Santoro]] has a very nerdy clone named Eugene, who is socially inept and wears NerdGlasses.
* Cyrus Soliveré of ''Literature/CaelumLex'' is a prodigal engineer who loves his craft a little too much and spends a great deal of time nerding out about engines, sometimes with fellow nerd Adrasteia Atelier.
* Karl Hadrika's [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcchrgJgryo "Becky Prim"]] proof-of-concept {{pilot}} has Norville. He dresses similar to [[Series/FamilyMatters Urkel]], talks and acts like [[WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy Neil Goldman]], and has a StalkerShrine to Becky in his closet. He's described in Hardika's Website/{{Tumblr}} [[http://karlhadrika.tumblr.com/ blog]] as "one part hapless nerd, one part horny sock puppet. Just a… just a punchable husk of repulsion [[TheChewToy you’re allowed to hate.]] Don’t even worry about it".
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Western Animation]]
* ''WesternAnimation/CodenameKidsNextDoor'': Nerd [[EverythingsDeaderWithZombies zombies]], geeking up over a Yipper card. Of course, they weren't really zombies, just painfully obsessed.
* ''WesternAnimation/CraigOfTheCreek'' has the Elders of the Creek. They're a reclusive bunch who spend their time playing board games dressed as fantasy characters.
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Daria}}'' to some extent. She has many of the normal tropes associated with nerds; NerdGlasses, good grades, unpopularity, niche interests and being social outcast. Nevertheless these facets are often overlooked because the character also breaks many of the stereotype been a DeadpanSnarker and TheCynic. If anything she's more likely to be doing the bullying than the other way around.
* ''WesternAnimation/FetchWithRuffRuffman'''s Glen, or as he likes to be known as, "Glendalf".
* ''WesternAnimation/HeyArnold!'' has all Type 1 nerds. Unfortunately there was an episode where Rhonda is forced to wear glasses and is immediately classified as a type 2 nerd despite looking perfectly normal. And this episode was made AFTER ''Literature/HarryPotter'' came out in America.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'':
** The show referenced the difference when Milhouse insists to Bart he's "Not a nerd. Nerds are smart." Which is actually roughly the reverse of the definitions being used here, although "smart" ''is'' an attribute commonly associated with nerds.
** There was an episode where Homer went to college and yelled "Neeerrrd!" at a passing student.
** The same episode introduced the three nerds Benjamin, Doug and Gary.
** In the ShowWithinAShow, ''School of Hard Knockers'', "Nerd" was apparently a catch-all to describe anyone who wasn't a Jock. Basically, taking the ''Series/SavedByTheBell'' viewpoint and then dumbing it down to Homer's level.
** And there's the Comic Book Guy.
* ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'', believe it or not, isn't limited to this neither;
** Episode "Putting Your Hoof Down", has a stereotypically nerdy pony with taped glasses, moustache, unfashionable mane-cut, bowtie, acne, and robot cutie mark. When he buys the last asparagus, which Fluttershy wanted, Rarity tricks him into selling it back to Fluttershy [[DistractedByTheSexy by calling him strong and handsome]].
** A slightly more socially adjusted example is Twilight Sparkle herself.
** A Season 5 episode reveals that Twilight's old Canterlot friend Moondancer is this too - and after Twilight left town, became even more of an introvert who rarely spoke to anyone.
* The Canadian animated series ''WesternAnimation/NerdsAndMonsters'' stars a group of nerds - and a DumbJock - stuck on an island inhabited by monsters.
* ''WesternAnimation/PoliceAcademyTheAnimatedSeries'' as in the films several characters can be considered nerds, but the most radical example is Carl Sweetchuck who suffered a certain degree of {{flanderization}} from his movie counterpart.
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Recess}}'':
** Gretchen Grundler in terms of speaking like her nose is clogged up, wearing glasses and being a ChildProdigy.
** Gus Griswald dresses like one, but isn't really one personality-wise.
** The Pale Kids who opt to stay indoors during Recess and do science experiments.
** Vince discovers in one episode that his older brother Chad is really one, and fears he'll become one as he gets older.
* ''WesternAnimation/TotalDrama'':
** The first generation of contestants has Harold, Noah, and Cody. All three are very skinny and physically unimpressive, quite intelligent, and have geeky interests or mannerisms, but represent different nerd stereotypes. Harold is awkward, eccentric, and has NerdGlasses; Noah is a lazy and antisocial InsufferableGenius; and Cody is a CasanovaWannabe oblivious to how much of a dweeb he is.
** From the same generation, there's Beth too. She is one of few girls who doesn't look like a supermodel, is [[NotGoodWithPeople socially awkward]], has NerdGlasses and BracesOfOrthodonticOverkill, and has a [[spoiler:not so]] imaginary boyfriend. However, she doesn't have any nerdy interests like Harold, Noah, and Cody do, making her more of a downplayed example.
** The second generation adds the BlackAndNerdy Cameron (a BubbleBoy with lots of booksmarts but little in the way of strength or social skills) as well as an overweight video game geek named Sam (who manages to gain a girlfriend in the rich, popular, and attractive Dakota).
** The third generation includes a {{LARP}}er named Leonard, a whiny and neurotic {{Bollywood Nerd}} named Dave and TeenGenius Scarlett, who appears to be the classic shy, bookish, glasses-wearing nerdy girl at first glance but is in fact a BitchInSheepsClothing NerdyBully.
* [[BollywoodNerd Baljeet]], Carl, (Fireside Girl) Gretchen, Irving, and Albert from ''WesternAnimation/PhineasAndFerb''.
* ''WesternAnimation/RobotChicken'' has a recurring, unnamed nerd character as one of the most recurring characters in the series, only referred to as simply The Nerd. He frequently daydreams about being part of various odd situations and franchises whenever he appears.
* Cedric in ''WesternAnimation/TheRaccoons'' alongside his NerdGlasses and bowtie. Subverted in the sports' part as he is shown to be very good at playing baseball, swiming and fishing.
* ''WesternAnimation/ReadyJetGo'': Sean is the show's ButtMonkey who is also TheSmartGuy, wielding a vast knowledge of space and science, owing to his mother working at the Deep Space Array. But he's also EndearinglyDorky and a LovableNerd.
[[/folder]]
[[noreallife]]
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to:
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[[quoteright:350:[[Film/RevengeOfTheNerds https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/revengenerds.jpg]]]]
[[caption-width-right:350:''[[Creator/DrSeuss And then, just to show them, I'll sail to Ka-Troo\\
and bring back an It-Kutch, a Preep, and a Proo,\\
a Nerkle, a Nerd, and a Seersucker too!]]'']]
->''"If you wanna be a nerd like me, you gotta make some unique sacrifices: No physical fitness, no social popularity, and most importantly -- ''(adjusts specs)'' -- no girls. Nerds before birds."''
-->-- '''Nerd''', ''Film/AngryVideoGameNerdTheMovie''
A Nerd is someone who...actually, it is easier to describe a nerd as what they are ''not.'' Not smooth, not handsome, and not someone you would instantly describe as 'attractive'. Not, above all else, ''popular'' outside a very narrow grouping of fellow-nerds.
The term gets conflated with {{geek}} fairly frequently, as it happens that a nerd can be fairly obsessive/informed about a particular topic. The nerdiest nerd is a nerd who isn't even a geek.
They are oftentimes a walking, talking fashion disaster. One of the odd features of the nerd on TV is that they will be formally dressed (probably as a result of StockCostumeTraits) usually, at ''least'' a plaid polo shirt and slacks. In fact, in real life, both nerds and geeks tend to dress ''more'' casually.
A nerd may be portrayed as pasty, weak, [[GeekPhysiques scrawny]], with NerdGlasses and optional NerdyInhaler. They [[RiseOfZitboy may be covered in facial acne]], have buckteeth, BracesOfOrthodonticOverkill, wear pocket protectors filled with pens, and have UncoolUndies. They are likely to be [[ExtremeDoormat bullied by the jocks]]. If a member of the opposite sex is anywhere within range, they CannotSpitItOut. They may have a lisp, [[NerdyNasalness a high pitched, whiny voice]], and be prone to spitting when they talk. Oh, and [[AnnoyingLaugh snort like pigs when they laugh]].
They also [[PolkaDork like music like polka and accordions]] and play ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons''. Geek girls (and some guys) will have [[QuirkyCurls super frizzy hair]], if it's not done up in GirlishPigtails (the girls, not the guys), and the girls may have [[GirlsWithMustaches facial hair]], [[BigOlUnibrow unibrows]], and be [[HairyGirl very hairy]]. They also display other "uncool" traits such as being a [[MommasBoy momma's/daddy's boy/girl]] or wetting the bed. They may also be obese, instead of scrawny.
It is almost like being a nerd is a bad thing.
These are the nerd stereotypes that were most prevalent in the 70s and 80s, the ones that feature in movies like ''Film/RevengeOfTheNerds'', the sort that Bill Gates and Creator/SteveJobs looked like back in the day. While not quite a DiscreditedTrope due to there being enough TruthInTelevision to GeekPhysiques to keep this one running, more recent portrayals of nerdy characters have become less wholly undesirable, with many landing on an EndearinglyDorky portrayal or outright NerdsAreSexy take. Then there is the TechBro who defies many of the "uncool" traits associated with the typical nerd by being an amalgamation of {{Fratbro}}, CorruptCorporateExecutive, and TheSocialExpert, taking after the younger generation of tech billionaires like [[Website/{{Facebook}} Mark Zuckerberg]] and [[Website/{{Twitter}} Jack Dorsey]] (though they may just be [[ExtravertedNerd wholly unaware of their lack of coolness]]).
Like with {{Geek}}, the definition of a nerd is not set in stone and can vary greatly depending on context. For instance, [[Series/HappyDays Fonzie]]’s earliest uses of the term implied somebody who was average and middle class, in contrast to his own streetwise survival and fighting skills. Creator/DrSeuss’ nerd was a nonsensical (and grouchy-looking) animal in his zoo.
Reoccurring sub-types that have their own page include: AsianAndNerdy, BasementDweller, BollywoodNerd, BlackAndNerdy, ExtravertedNerd, JewishAndNerdy, LovableNerd
See also {{Nerdcore}} and GiveGeeksAChance. Related to IJustWantToHaveFriends when the nerd wants to be more popular. If you're looking for the musical about Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, it's at: ''{{Theatre/Nerds|AMusicalSoftwareSatire}}''. If you're looking for the theatre show about TheThingThatWouldNotLeave, that's ''Theatre/TheNerd''. If you're looking for the children's book series, that's ''Literature/{{NERDS}}''. And if you're looking for the band [=N*E*R*D=], that's on Music/{{Pharrell Williams}}'s page.
----
!!Examples:
[[foldercontrol]]
[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
* Konata Izumi of ''Manga/LuckyStar'' is a self-described hardcore geek, despite being inexplicably athletic.
* Umino Gurio ("Melvin" in TheNineties dub of the [[Anime/SailorMoon first anime]]), Usagi ("Serena") and Naru ("Molly")'s classmate in ''Franchise/SailorMoon''. Originally the girls are creeped out by him whenever he shows up, to only later find out he's a decent guy - he and Naru end up dating. And according to WordOfGod, he's actually completely {{Bishonen}} [[BeautifulAllAlong under his swirly glasses]].
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Comics]]
* ComicBook/KittyPryde of the ComicBook/XMen used to be one. She was a skinny little computer nerd who was jealous of the older X-Women's looks and even needed glasses at one point, though she still had her share of admirers. The trope applied more in real life than within the comics, in fact: so many of today's comic book creators [[RunningTheAsylum grew up]] with a huge crush on Kitty that nowadays she's generally just accepted to be an extremely attractive woman who's also really smart. However, as her attractiveness increased, references to her brains shrank in number; back in the 80s it was hinted that she'd grow up to be another Reed Richards. She's 20-something in comics these days, and her genius-level computer skills can't even hack The Beast's computers. Not to mention, very few modern day adaptations even make reference to her geniusness. The X-Men films didn't even refer to it, and ''WesternAnimation/XMenEvolution'' it was only hinted at, in a manner that when it ''did'' crop up, some viewers were confused as to how she was suddenly so smart. This got to the point that the recent ''A+X'' team-up book's story with her and Tony Stark lampshaded it, with Tony trying to convince her to come work for them so she can actually use her supposed smarts.
* ''ComicBook/RobinSeries'': While Tim himself doesn't count at all, always having been relatively popular and more geek than nerd, most of his friends outside the superhero community are nerds and at one point Tim pointed out to a jock that was picking on one of them that he'd likely be working for him or someone like him in the future.
* ComicBook/SpiderMan: Peter Parker. A scientific genius from a young age, rather milquetoast from being raised by a loving but elderly couple, and in early appearances socially inept and unfashionable. In his subsequent appearances, though he's gotten ProgressivelyPrettier and more confident, he's retained most of his gadget geek, ScienceHero nerdiness.
** However, there being more to him than meets the eye was lampshaded in a flashback scene where he was back in high school and being picked on. A pretty young girl pointedly tells the bullies that they'll be working as janitors someday...in a building that Peter Parker owns.
** ComicBook/DoctorOctopus was similarly nerdy, but it consumed him until he became embittered, vengeful, and villainous. For this reason he's often played as Peter's ShadowArchetype.
* ''ComicBook/SpiderMan2099'': Plays with the typical nerdy Spiderman depiction by having the inheritor to the title Miguel, have some nerdy interests, while also being pretty self-centered and arrogant as opposed to shy and introverted, as a contrast to Peter.
* ComicBook/WonderGirl Cassie Sandsmark started out fairly nerdy--not spending any time concerned about her appearance and clothing, being very interested in history and feeling awkward in most social situations--but she grew out of this characterization.
* ''ComicBook/KunskapensKorridorer'': "Hjärnan" is clearly the smartest student in the class of 8C, to the point that his nick-name means "The Brain". And he also looks like a stereotypical nerd, with glasses and a more conservative dressing style.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Fan Fic]]
* Andy from ''Fanfic/CalvinAndHobbesTheSeries''.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Film -- Live-Action]]
* ''Film/NapoleonDynamite'' is pure nerd. No {{geek}}-ness at all, no skills, knowledge or, quite possibly, any understanding that there might be such things as skill and knowledge.
* The movie series ''Film/RevengeOfTheNerds'', which describe themselves as including the Nerd, the Geek and the Spazz as their heroes (not to mention the slob, in Booger's case).
* ''Film/BackToTheFuture'' Part I: Marty's father, before Marty goes back to 1955 and while he's in 1955.
* Creator/JerryLewis played a ComicBooks nerd in ''Film/ArtistsAndModels''. An early example. He also played a nerdy character in ''Film/{{The Nutty Professor|1963}}''.
* ''Film/TheGamers'' not only knows its subject very well, but also has many in-jokes that only D&D players will get, the first one more than the second one. Both have a cast that was probably cast from D&D players (though some in the second movie are doubtful). It is often referred to as "A D&D movie that mocks D&D players." Jen Page (aka female Luster) was at the time of filming an editor at Wizards of the Coast.
* ''Film/LiveFreeOrDieHard'': "the Warlock", a notorious hacker, is played by Kevin Smith. Yes, ''that'' [[Film/TheViewAskewniverse Kevin Smith]]. Then the KidSidekick is played by Justin Long with his "gonna get beat up in high school" looks. The villain has a team of pizza eating mini-Smith working for him but he himself, meant to be the uber-hacker, is a very sharply dressed Timothy Olyphant with a hot [[EverybodyWasKungFuFighting kung fu fighting]] [[ActionGirl assassin girlfriend]]. However the contrast with those two and everyone else just underlines EvilIsSexy.
* The three main characters in ''Film/{{Superbad}}'' all look like believable teenage outcasts. In fact even the popular cute girls in the movie are only normal-school pretty rather than drop dead gorgeous models.
* The two computer hackers David (Matthew Broderick) consults in ''Film/WarGames.''. One of the nerds in the above mention was played by Creator/EddieDeezen who built his entire career playing nerds starting in the late 70s in such films as ''Film/{{Grease}}'', ''Film/IWannaHoldYourHand'' and ''Film/NineteenFortyOne''.
* ''Film/RealGenius'' shows a wide variety of nerds. Most of the physics students are nerds, including an AsianAndNerdy student, a BasementDweller (sort of), and a TeenGenius. Chris Knight (Val Kilmer), however, is handsome, witty, and outgoing.
* ''Film/MaxKnightUltraSpy'' has this in droves. The villain (Creator/SethGreen) is an uber hacker who, along with his girl posse and various followers, looks and acts like contenders for "the popular kids of the popular kids at high school", and the story takes place at one point at a party that seems to mix hip-hop, R'n'B and rave, people drink out of test tubes, and you have to prove your superior intelligence to get in. You meet one awkward, sweaty nerd (who gets shot down by the female lead) near the start, and the female lead's sister is a borderline case (until the villain takes off her glasses and lets down her hair).
* The eponymous character of ''Film/{{Adam}}'', due to his UsefulNotes/AspergerSyndrome.
* Alan from ''Film/SummerSchool''. He's average looking, an academic underachiever in a family of overachievers, has poor social skills, and speaks in a high, weird voice.
* The ''Film/PoliceAcademy'' film series have several nerdy characters joining the police, among others TheWoobie Carl Sweetchuck and FatComicRelief Thomas "House" Conklin.
* ''Film/DollFactory'': Melvin's as nerdy as they come, having curly hair, NerdGlasses, and a nasally voice.
* ''Film/TheWhiteOrchid'': Claire begins with wireframe glasses, hair in a bun, a shy personality and modest, plain clothes to show her character is a quiet, nerdy detective. When she takes on The White Orchid's style, this changes entirely.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Literature]]
* Note the Geeky Wobbler's ambitions in Creator/TerryPratchett's ''Literature/JohnnyAndTheBomb'': "Wobbler wanted to be a nerd, but they wouldn't let him join. He wanted to be the kid in a deformed anorak and milk-bottom glasses who designs killer software and is a millionaire at thirty. Failing that he'd settle for being someone whose computer [[WalkingTechbane didn't smell of burning plastic whenever he touched it]]."
* Any and all Creator/JohnGreen character. Take your pick. It shouldn't surprise you, given that the guy co-runs a massively popular Website/YouTube channel devoted to nerd advocacy.
* Another Pratchett example: Nijel the Barbarian in ''Literature/{{Sourcery}}'', a scrawny, pimply teenager with ambitions to become a BarbarianHero.
* Eli from ''Literature/TheGeeksShallInheritTheEarth''.
* ''Literature/TheNewestPlutarch'' features Go Nan Jen, a Chinese official who believed that the proper way to defeat an enemy is moving in a way that resembles the hieroglyphs for war, weapons, victory etc.
* Gilbert Bunsen Scrabbler in the ''National Lampoon 1964 High School Yearbook Parody''. Also Belinda Heinke, if girls count.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Live Action TV]]
* ''Series/FamilyMatters''' Steve Urkel and ''Series/SavedByTheBell's'' Screech are the flagships for the male version. Also see his nerdy girlfriend Violet, played by Tori Spelling in NerdGlasses and ugly hairstyle. Steve Urkel's nerdiness is played up even more; his dress style, high pitched voiced and total social awkwardness.
* All the Geeks in ''Beauty And The Geek'', at least to start with. After the obligatory makeover episode some of them clean up quite nicely. (The show is more about nerds than geeks, but "geek" is phonetically closer to "beast" than "nerd.")
* All the geeks of ''Series/FreaksAndGeeks''. It featured nerds more than {{geek}}s, mostly because ''freaks'' and ''nerds'' don't rhyme.
* ''Series/TheBigBangTheory''.
** Amy Farrah Fowler.
** Basically the entire cast (save for Penny).
** Sheldon takes the cake for [[UpToEleven essentially being the token nerd in an entire cast of token nerds.]]
* Stuart Minkus on ''Series/BoyMeetsWorld''. In the episode, ''Cory's Alternative Friends'', Cory decides that he wants to change his hairstyle, but it takes a turn for the worse, leading him to join a group of social outcasts who eat lunch together and have no desire to be normal.
* Owen Pronsky from ''Series/LessThanPerfect'' is a classic example, complete with NerdGlasses, social ineptness and overall weirdness. Also, he sells office supplies for a living.
* ''Series/{{Dollhouse}}''
** Dr. Claire Saunders. Yes, she's played by Creator/AmyAcker but she also has serious facial scars. However their visibility seems to vary from episode to episode.
** Topher on the other hand personifies this trope, though even he isn't exactly unattractive.
** Also heavily lampshaded with Doctor Bennett Halverson, Summer Glau's character. She's so drop dead gorgeous (except for the gimp arm, and that's really not that bad) that Topher assumes she is a doll who "broke" and was imprinted with some important skills - but proves otherwise. Also slightly subverted in a later episode, when we see Bennett at school before a friend gave her a makeover. She's still far from what any sane person would call ugly, but combined with her personality her geekiness becomes believable.
* ''Series/{{Alias}}'''s Marshall Flinkman.
* Malcolm from the ''Series/DoctorWho'' special "Planet of the Dead." Very much a Doctor fanboy, too.
* ''Series/{{iCarly}}'' has Freddie himself as a straight example. Especially in season 1 when the actor's voice hadn't changed and he was shorter than the actresses playing Carly and Sam (to the point of needing a ScullyBox pair of shoes). In the episode 1 of season 2, when Freddie enters, Sam asks "What happened to your voice?" and Freddie replies "I dunno, puberty?" Season 4 he's become a full blown HotScientist as the actor is now nearly 18, spent time in the off-season break working out and is all muscled up.
* "Doc" Soto in ''Series/{{Alcatraz}}'' who when he's not helping catch time traveling criminals runs a comics shop.
* Harold on ''Series/TheRedGreenShow''.
* Garrett and Fat Neil on ''Series/{{Community}}'', the former of whom also has a [[SpeechImpediment pronounced lisp.]]
* Mark Jackson (Gavin Crawford), the teen correspondent for ''Series/ThisHourHas22Minutes'', looks and acts like the stereotypical Type 1 nerd.
* ''Series/{{JAG}}'': Bud describes himself as a Nerd in "The Colonel's Wife".
* ''Series/HouseOfAnubis'': Fabian admits to being one after being lightly teased about it, and Mara also fits- she's obsessed with school, grades, and is the one person in the House who is smarter than Fabian.
* Sam in ''Series/GameOfThrones'' is a medieval version of a nerd: a shy fatty bookworm not very good in physical prowess by any mean, victim of bullying and a disappointment for his harsh warrior father. But very brave nevertheless.
* ''Series/WeirdScience'': Wyatt and Gary (socially awkward school misfits interested in science and comic books) albeit without the traditional depiction of nerds, especially not in their attire.
* Jerry in ''Series/ParkerLewisCantLose'' UpToEleven in the first seasons, although the third and last season made his character less one-dimensional and with more charisma, having other interests apart from "study" like filmmaking.
* In ''Series/LilHorrors'', Webster Swampson, a [[FishPeople piscine boy]] based on various sea monsters is the school brainiac and a bit of a nerd. Often turned to, to get the other Horrors out of a crisis. Storylines based around him usually involve some invention of his.
* On ''Series/{{SCTV}}'', Eugene Levy is particularly good at playing nerd characters, including Brian Johns, Earl Camembert, and "Rockin'" Mel Slirrup.
* Lisa Lupner and her friend Todd on ''Series/SaturdayNightLive''.
* ''Series/{{Psych}}'': One episode has Shawn and Gus visit an old friend of theirs, who was a scrawny nerd obsessed with conspiracy theories. They find him living in a nice house with a hot wife, and he himself looks like an athlete and is successful (also played by Creator/FreddiePrinzeJr). Except once his wife is out of earshot, he reveals that he's still very much a nerd, he just doesn't want his wife to find out. He shows them his secret room with all the conspiracy theory stuff. They urge him to come clean to her, but he refuses. Finally, she stumbles on his secret room (which he forgot to close), and he's forced to admit his nerdiness. She's angry... because she's been forced to hide her own nerdiness from him all this time.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Machinima]]
* Machinima/Supermarioglitchy4sSuperMario64Bloopers: Lakitu, the cameraman. Mario often calls him this, apparently.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Music]]
* Music/TheyMightBeGiants, kings of the nerd rock genre, wrote a song called "The Mesopotamians", which portrays Sargon, Hammurabi, Ashurbanipal, and Gilgamesh as a cross between Music/TheMonkees and Music/{{Gorillaz}}. It's an allegory of the Beatles ("I thought you crashed your car"), and that no one cares about them anymore... save the geeks.
** They also have written songs about President James K. Polk and about mammals. They get the award for Songs That Most Resemble Middle School Term Papers.
* The band 2 Skinnee J's first single was titled "[[http://www.mtv.com/videos/2-skinnee-js/308238/riot-nrrrd.jhtml Riot Nrrrd]]"; this title both represents a claim of affiliation with the RiotGrrrl movement and an attempt to "reclaim" the label "nerd."
* Turn on Creator/G4TV and you're more than likely to find a bumper or two of several {{Nerdcore}} rappers rapping about things that [[{{Muggle}} ordinary people]] would find nerdy; e.g. UsefulNotes/ConsoleWars, computer hacking, hell, even just video gaming in general. The bumps appear to be a movement to turn "nerd" into a term of endearment and/or empowerment. The performers include [=YTCracker=], MC Lars, and [=MCFrontalot=], who looks ''a lot'' like the image at the top of this page. Ironically, the majority of G4's programing has nothing to do with what they claim is their intended demographic.
* Are we not men? We are {{Music/Devo}}!
* Music/DevinTownsend: But Captain Spectacular has seen through Ziltoid's facade, and now sets out to expose Ziltoid for what he really is: a nerd.
* David Byrne, the lead singer of Music/TalkingHeads, seems nerdy.
* Music/WeirdAlYankovic, particularly in the song "White & Nerdy".
* Music/TheDoubleclicks are unashamedly nerdy, but the point there is that nerdy stuff is their primary source of references, often providing metaphors for some moderately serious topics.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Pinball]]
* This is the origin of [[Creator/MidwayGames Bally's]] ''Pinball/DrDude'', who was a computer nerd named "Ben A. Glitch" until he invented the E'''X'''cellent Ray.
[[/folder]]
[[folder: Theatre]]
* The eponymous antagonist in ''Theatre/TheNerd'', Rick, of course. He's extremely socially awkward.
[[/folder]]
[[folder: Video Games]]
* Myron of VideoGame/{{Fallout 2}}, though he is also far more evil than most other examples here, being the inventor of the drug Jet and having killed countless slaves in testing.
* ''Videogame/{{MOTHER}}:''
** ''Videogame/EarthBoundBeginnings'' has Lloyd, an extremely pasty 11-year-old with thick, round glasses and a strong interest in computer software. He's a frequent bullying target at his elementary school, and is first introduced hiding from the bullies in a ''trash can'' on the school's roof. But by the end of the game he's [[TookALevelInBadass taken a level in badass]] and pilots a ''tank.''
** ''Videogame/EarthBound'' has Jeff, an {{Expy}} of Lloyd. He's a freckle-faced 13-year-old in a suit and bowtie, complete with thick glasses and a bowl cut. He's also the BadassNormal of the main party, turning mundane broken items like irons and pipes into amazing, advanced machines that can [[AntiMagic block enemy]] PsychicPowers, [[PowerNullifier nullify enemy shields]], and [[RayGun shoot lasers]].
* The Nerds are one of the four main cliques within Bullworth Academy in ''VideoGame/{{Bully}}''. They can mostly be found in and around the library, and they have a stronghold in the observatory near the football field. Outside of the school, they often meet up in the basement of the comic book shop for games of [[BlandNameProduct Grottos and Gremlins]]. Their combat skills are, as you would expect, sorely lacking compared to most other students, and they often find themselves getting picked on, though they tend to arm themselves with stink bombs and other such weapons in a bid to level the playing field.
* You can pick "Nerd" as your class in ''VideoGame/{{Gauntlet}}: The Third Encounter'' on the UsefulNotes/AtariLynx, and he's dressed in the stereotypical style and carries a textbook with him. He's effectively a JokeCharacter, as he has the lowest Strength and Missile stats, and only marginally better Speed than some other options.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Web Comics]]
* Mindy of ''Webcomic/CinemaBums''. Particularly on subjects related to movies.
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%% Couldn't find where the following occurs. In Dilbert? Not much sign of use of that name online. Needs clarification!
%% * The devil tech fannamed "Devilbert". He's also a rare villainous example, albeit of the PunchclockVillain variety.
%%
* ''Webcomic/DinosaurComics'': In [[http://www.qwantz.com/archive/001201.html this]] strip, T-Rex conflates nerds and geeks when he speculates that {{God}}'s omniscience must make him the Ultimate Nerd.
* Eric of ''Webcomic/{{Loserz}}''. See [[http://the-qlc.com/loserz/go/64 here]]. He might still be a {{geek}}, though, and later manages to [[spoiler:get a girlfriend and get laid. Wish fulfillment?]].
* Gary of ''Webcomic/MenageA3'' is a {{geek}} with strong nerd tendencies. In fact, he'd probably end up as a full-on {{hikikomori}} if he didn't have some good friends, EndearinglyDorky looks, and a strange sexual talent. His geeky lack of social skills veers towards nerdish total incompetence, and at the start of the comic, he'd collapse totally if an attractive woman so much as looked at him. He ''wants'' to have friends and lovers, but didn't have a clue how to get them to start with, and even in later strips he displays a painful lack of initiative in pursuing his options. However, his friends didn't have to clean him up much to produce quite appealing results.
* ''Webcomic/QuestionableContent'': Marigold is a pimply MMORPG-addicted nerd with dirty hair and a messy apartment. However SheCleansUpNicely, though this could be InformedAttractiveness. Her friends tell her she's BeautifulAllAlong and boys have hit on her, but her artwork hasn't changed, her clothing hasn't changed and her social skills around strange boys CERTAINLY haven't changed.
* The "cloner nerds" from ''Webcomic/SluggyFreelance'' seem like a pretty extreme example. Then they release a plague that exponentially increases the intelligence of whoever it infects, while ''de''creasing their attractiveness and social skills to the point where they become extremely nerdy [[OurZombiesAreDifferent zombie]] [[NotUsingTheZWord analogues]].
* Ruby of ''Webcomic/StickyDillyBuns'' is arguably a non-standard female example who looks more like a HotLibrarian at first glance. She's quite attractive in HollywoodHomely style, her social ineptitude takes the form of abrasiveness rather than bumbling, she doesn't seem very interested in science or computers (her degree is in Business Administration), and we have no evidence about her physical fitness. However, the glasses, the opinionated attitude, the total lack of ''cool'' (she's downright neurotic), [[NerdsAreVirgins the virginity]], and the privileging of intellect over social relationships, are classic nerd. If she is a nerd, though, she's the sort who {{geek}}s despise, because she tries to use her intelligence for profit rather than for a hobby. But then again, she eventually succeeds — especially when she spots a business opportunity that she can also treat as a geeky hobby.
* ''Webcomic/ExistentialComics'': The [[StrawVulcan Logical Positivists of the Vienna Circle]] are dorky [[EvenNerdsHaveStandards even by the standards of philosophers]].
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Web Original]]
* When Terry of ''WebVideo/KateModern'' joins the Hymn of One, he becomes a cheerful, mild-mannered nerd, complete with a cardigan and, inexplicably, NerdGlasses. [[spoiler:In "Precious Blood" it is revealed that the nerd persona was all an act. One of the first things he does after being discovered is to get rid of the cardigan and [[TheGlassesComeOff the glasses]] - he can see just fine without them]].
* "Bad Decision?", Chapter 2 of ''WebVideo/LG15TheResistance'' features "the sexy nineteen-year-old fact finder also known as... Research Nerd!" (actually Sarah with NerdGlasses, a collared shirt and tie and her hair tied back).
* Spencer from ''WebVideo/{{lonelygirl15}}'' is a scientist who likes to wave a lightsaber around and claims he can't exercise because he suffers from nociception. All together: "What Up, Blogosphere!"
* WebVideo/TheAngryVideoGameNerd. And here, we speak about the character, not the actor James Rolfe, who actually got a life on his own. And even the Nerd character only has the look of nerds in the general, his popularity is immense. Just don't imitate his style in real life.
* WebVideo/TheNostalgiaCritic has a {{troll}} nerd ("Douchy [=McNitpick=]") who constantly points out the errors in his reviews.
* ''WebVideo/DragonBallZAbridged'' has Piccolo refer to Son Gohan as a nerd, whenever he goes off on a rant.
* In ''WebVideo/{{Doppelganger}}'' nerds form an entire clique. Victor is one and so is Lisa to a lesser extent. However, Victor is ''so'' nerdy [[EvenNerdsHaveStandards even the nerds don't want him.]]
* Pretty much every deviser or gadgeteer at SuperheroSchool Whateley Academy in the Literature/WhateleyUniverse. Even the attractive ones (like Bugs and Widget) tend to be obsessive about their inventions, weird in various ways, etc. Bugs has a fascination with the egg, even building inventions into egg shapes.
* [[WebVideo/MatthewSantoro Matt Santoro]] has a very nerdy clone named Eugene, who is socially inept and wears NerdGlasses.
* Cyrus Soliveré of ''Literature/CaelumLex'' is a prodigal engineer who loves his craft a little too much and spends a great deal of time nerding out about engines, sometimes with fellow nerd Adrasteia Atelier.
* Karl Hadrika's [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcchrgJgryo "Becky Prim"]] proof-of-concept {{pilot}} has Norville. He dresses similar to [[Series/FamilyMatters Urkel]], talks and acts like [[WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy Neil Goldman]], and has a StalkerShrine to Becky in his closet. He's described in Hardika's Website/{{Tumblr}} [[http://karlhadrika.tumblr.com/ blog]] as "one part hapless nerd, one part horny sock puppet. Just a… just a punchable husk of repulsion [[TheChewToy you’re allowed to hate.]] Don’t even worry about it".
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Western Animation]]
* ''WesternAnimation/CodenameKidsNextDoor'': Nerd [[EverythingsDeaderWithZombies zombies]], geeking up over a Yipper card. Of course, they weren't really zombies, just painfully obsessed.
* ''WesternAnimation/CraigOfTheCreek'' has the Elders of the Creek. They're a reclusive bunch who spend their time playing board games dressed as fantasy characters.
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Daria}}'' to some extent. She has many of the normal tropes associated with nerds; NerdGlasses, good grades, unpopularity, niche interests and being social outcast. Nevertheless these facets are often overlooked because the character also breaks many of the stereotype been a DeadpanSnarker and TheCynic. If anything she's more likely to be doing the bullying than the other way around.
* ''WesternAnimation/FetchWithRuffRuffman'''s Glen, or as he likes to be known as, "Glendalf".
* ''WesternAnimation/HeyArnold!'' has all Type 1 nerds. Unfortunately there was an episode where Rhonda is forced to wear glasses and is immediately classified as a type 2 nerd despite looking perfectly normal. And this episode was made AFTER ''Literature/HarryPotter'' came out in America.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'':
** The show referenced the difference when Milhouse insists to Bart he's "Not a nerd. Nerds are smart." Which is actually roughly the reverse of the definitions being used here, although "smart" ''is'' an attribute commonly associated with nerds.
** There was an episode where Homer went to college and yelled "Neeerrrd!" at a passing student.
** The same episode introduced the three nerds Benjamin, Doug and Gary.
** In the ShowWithinAShow, ''School of Hard Knockers'', "Nerd" was apparently a catch-all to describe anyone who wasn't a Jock. Basically, taking the ''Series/SavedByTheBell'' viewpoint and then dumbing it down to Homer's level.
** And there's the Comic Book Guy.
* ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'', believe it or not, isn't limited to this neither;
** Episode "Putting Your Hoof Down", has a stereotypically nerdy pony with taped glasses, moustache, unfashionable mane-cut, bowtie, acne, and robot cutie mark. When he buys the last asparagus, which Fluttershy wanted, Rarity tricks him into selling it back to Fluttershy [[DistractedByTheSexy by calling him strong and handsome]].
** A slightly more socially adjusted example is Twilight Sparkle herself.
** A Season 5 episode reveals that Twilight's old Canterlot friend Moondancer is this too - and after Twilight left town, became even more of an introvert who rarely spoke to anyone.
* The Canadian animated series ''WesternAnimation/NerdsAndMonsters'' stars a group of nerds - and a DumbJock - stuck on an island inhabited by monsters.
* ''WesternAnimation/PoliceAcademyTheAnimatedSeries'' as in the films several characters can be considered nerds, but the most radical example is Carl Sweetchuck who suffered a certain degree of {{flanderization}} from his movie counterpart.
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Recess}}'':
** Gretchen Grundler in terms of speaking like her nose is clogged up, wearing glasses and being a ChildProdigy.
** Gus Griswald dresses like one, but isn't really one personality-wise.
** The Pale Kids who opt to stay indoors during Recess and do science experiments.
** Vince discovers in one episode that his older brother Chad is really one, and fears he'll become one as he gets older.
* ''WesternAnimation/TotalDrama'':
** The first generation of contestants has Harold, Noah, and Cody. All three are very skinny and physically unimpressive, quite intelligent, and have geeky interests or mannerisms, but represent different nerd stereotypes. Harold is awkward, eccentric, and has NerdGlasses; Noah is a lazy and antisocial InsufferableGenius; and Cody is a CasanovaWannabe oblivious to how much of a dweeb he is.
** From the same generation, there's Beth too. She is one of few girls who doesn't look like a supermodel, is [[NotGoodWithPeople socially awkward]], has NerdGlasses and BracesOfOrthodonticOverkill, and has a [[spoiler:not so]] imaginary boyfriend. However, she doesn't have any nerdy interests like Harold, Noah, and Cody do, making her more of a downplayed example.
** The second generation adds the BlackAndNerdy Cameron (a BubbleBoy with lots of booksmarts but little in the way of strength or social skills) as well as an overweight video game geek named Sam (who manages to gain a girlfriend in the rich, popular, and attractive Dakota).
** The third generation includes a {{LARP}}er named Leonard, a whiny and neurotic {{Bollywood Nerd}} named Dave and TeenGenius Scarlett, who appears to be the classic shy, bookish, glasses-wearing nerdy girl at first glance but is in fact a BitchInSheepsClothing NerdyBully.
* [[BollywoodNerd Baljeet]], Carl, (Fireside Girl) Gretchen, Irving, and Albert from ''WesternAnimation/PhineasAndFerb''.
* ''WesternAnimation/RobotChicken'' has a recurring, unnamed nerd character as one of the most recurring characters in the series, only referred to as simply The Nerd. He frequently daydreams about being part of various odd situations and franchises whenever he appears.
* Cedric in ''WesternAnimation/TheRaccoons'' alongside his NerdGlasses and bowtie. Subverted in the sports' part as he is shown to be very good at playing baseball, swiming and fishing.
* ''WesternAnimation/ReadyJetGo'': Sean is the show's ButtMonkey who is also TheSmartGuy, wielding a vast knowledge of space and science, owing to his mother working at the Deep Space Array. But he's also EndearinglyDorky and a LovableNerd.
[[/folder]]
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* ''Film/TheWhiteOrchid'': Claire begins with wireframe glasses, hair in a bun, a shy personality and modest, plain clothes to show her character is a quiet, nerdy detective. When she takes on The White Orchid's style, this changes entirely.
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They are oftentimes a walking, talking fashion disaster. One of the odd features of the nerd on TV is that they will be formally dressed (probably as a result of the HollywoodDressCode) usually, at ''least'' a plaid polo shirt and slacks. In fact, in real life, both nerds and geeks tend to dress ''more'' casually.
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They are oftentimes a walking, talking fashion disaster. One of the odd features of the nerd on TV is that they will be formally dressed (probably as a result of the HollywoodDressCode) StockCostumeTraits) usually, at ''least'' a plaid polo shirt and slacks. In fact, in real life, both nerds and geeks tend to dress ''more'' casually.
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[[folder:Film]]
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* ''Series/{{Psych}}'': One episode has Shawn and Gus visit an old friend of theirs, who was a scrawny nerd obsessed with conspiracy theories. They find him living in a nice house with a hot wife, and he himself looks like an athlete and is successful (also played by Creator/FreddiePrinzeJr). Except once his wife is out of earshot, he reveals that he's still very much a nerd, he just doesn't want his wife to find out. He shows them his secret room with all the conspiracy theory stuff. They urge him to come clean to her, but he refuses. Finally, she stumbles on his secret room (which he forgot to close), and he's forced to admit his nerdiness. She's angry... because she's been forced to hide her own nerdiness from him all this time.
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[[caption-width-right:350:''And then, just to show them, I'll sail to Ka-Troo\\
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[[TropeNamers a Nerkle, a Nerd, and a Seersucker too!]]'']]
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See also {{Nerdcore}} and GiveGeeksAChance. Related to IJustWantToHaveFriends when the nerd wants to be more popular. If you're looking for the musical about Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, it's at: ''Theatre/{{Nerds}}''. If you're looking for the theatre show about TheThingThatWouldNotLeave, that's ''Theatre/TheNerd''. And if you're looking for the band [=N*E*R*D=], that's on Music/{{Pharrell Williams}}'s page.
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See also {{Nerdcore}} and GiveGeeksAChance. Related to IJustWantToHaveFriends when the nerd wants to be more popular. If you're looking for the musical about Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, it's at: ''Theatre/{{Nerds}}''.''{{Theatre/Nerds|AMusicalSoftwareSatire}}''. If you're looking for the theatre show about TheThingThatWouldNotLeave, that's ''Theatre/TheNerd''. If you're looking for the children's book series, that's ''Literature/{{NERDS}}''. And if you're looking for the band [=N*E*R*D=], that's on Music/{{Pharrell Williams}}'s page.
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Reoccurring sub-types that have their own page include: AsianAndNerdy, BasementDweller, BollywoodNerd, BlackAndNerdy, ExtravertedNerd, JewishAndNerdy
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Reoccurring sub-types that have their own page include: AsianAndNerdy, BasementDweller, BollywoodNerd, BlackAndNerdy, ExtravertedNerd, JewishAndNerdy
JewishAndNerdy, LovableNerd
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Reoccurring sub-types that have their own page include:
* AsianAndNerdy
* BasementDweller
* BollywoodNerd
* BlackAndNerdy
* ExtravertedNerd
* JewishAndNerdy
* AsianAndNerdy
* BasementDweller
* BollywoodNerd
* BlackAndNerdy
* ExtravertedNerd
* JewishAndNerdy
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Reoccurring sub-types that have their own page include:
* AsianAndNerdy
* BasementDweller
* BollywoodNerd
* BlackAndNerdy
* ExtravertedNerd
*include: AsianAndNerdy, BasementDweller, BollywoodNerd, BlackAndNerdy, ExtravertedNerd, JewishAndNerdy
* AsianAndNerdy
* BasementDweller
* BollywoodNerd
* BlackAndNerdy
* ExtravertedNerd
*
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* ''WesternAnimation/PoliceAcademy'' as in the films several characters can be considered nerds, but the most radical example is Carl Sweetchuck who suffered a certain degree of {{flanderization}} from his movie counterpart.
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* ''WesternAnimation/PoliceAcademy'' ''WesternAnimation/PoliceAcademyTheAnimatedSeries'' as in the films several characters can be considered nerds, but the most radical example is Carl Sweetchuck who suffered a certain degree of {{flanderization}} from his movie counterpart.
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See also {{Nerdcore}}. Related to IJustWantToHaveFriends when the nerd wants to be more popular. If you're looking for the musical about Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, it's at: ''Theatre/{{Nerds}}''. If you're looking for the theatre show about TheThingThatWouldNotLeave, that's ''Theatre/TheNerd''. And if you're looking for the band [=N*E*R*D=], that's on Music/{{Pharrell Williams}}'s page.
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See also {{Nerdcore}}.{{Nerdcore}} and GiveGeeksAChance. Related to IJustWantToHaveFriends when the nerd wants to be more popular. If you're looking for the musical about Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, it's at: ''Theatre/{{Nerds}}''. If you're looking for the theatre show about TheThingThatWouldNotLeave, that's ''Theatre/TheNerd''. And if you're looking for the band [=N*E*R*D=], that's on Music/{{Pharrell Williams}}'s page.
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* BasementDweller
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These are the nerd stereotypes that were most prevalent in the 70s and 80s, the ones that feature in movies like ''Film/RevengeOfTheNerds'', the sort that Bill Gates and Creator/SteveJobs looked like back in the day. While not quite a DiscreditedTrope due to there being enough TruthInTelevision to GeekPhysiques to keep this one running, more recent portrayals of nerdy characters have become less wholly undesirable, with many landing on an EndearinglyDorky portrayal or outright NerdsAreSexy take. Then there is the TechBro who defies many of the "uncool" traits associated with the typical nerd by being an amalgamation of {{Fratbro}}, CorporateExecutive, and TheSocialExpert (though they may just be [[ExtravertedNerd wholly unaware of their lack of coolness]]).
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These are the nerd stereotypes that were most prevalent in the 70s and 80s, the ones that feature in movies like ''Film/RevengeOfTheNerds'', the sort that Bill Gates and Creator/SteveJobs looked like back in the day. While not quite a DiscreditedTrope due to there being enough TruthInTelevision to GeekPhysiques to keep this one running, more recent portrayals of nerdy characters have become less wholly undesirable, with many landing on an EndearinglyDorky portrayal or outright NerdsAreSexy take. Then there is the TechBro who defies many of the "uncool" traits associated with the typical nerd by being an amalgamation of {{Fratbro}}, CorporateExecutive, CorruptCorporateExecutive, and TheSocialExpert TheSocialExpert, taking after the younger generation of tech billionaires like [[Website/{{Facebook}} Mark Zuckerberg]] and [[Website/{{Twitter}} Jack Dorsey]] (though they may just be [[ExtravertedNerd wholly unaware of their lack of coolness]]).
