Early 20th Century Slang Question

[Zeppelin Kapitan Fritz]

     I describe myself as a "total loser geek with no life", but for me this is more of term of honor than an insult. My steampunk persona is supposed to be based upon my perception of myself, he refers to himself as an "eccentric intellectual". This sounds a bit stuffy and formal. What could someone else throw at him as an insult that would have essentially the same meaning as "nerd" or "geek"? The term "nerd" didn't exist until the late 50s, I think "geek" may have been even later. I obviously don't care if the term is non-German, my characters use early 20th century American slang all the time.

     Problem is I'm not even sure if anything comparable to this concept would have even existed in Edwardian times. I kind of doubt it, but I could be proven wrong.

[Lady Chrystal]

An early spelling of "nerd" was "knurd".

If nothing better is suggested, that could be a possibilie alternative. At least in print. 

[Zeppelin Kapitan Fritz]

An early spelling of "nerd" was "knurd".

If nothing better is suggested, that could be a possibilie alternative. At least in print. 

     I still see that spelling occasionally. Mostly on the internet. As I said before however, the term nerd was first recorded in the late 1950's.

[Lady Chrystal]

I know - but it's a last resort.

Hopefully someone will know a better alternative.

[Demo]

I think egghead or boffin, would probably convey some of the right meaning.

[Zeppelin Kapitan Fritz]

I think egghead or boffin, would probably convey some of the right meaning.

     Yeah, those might work ("egghead" being more American and "boffin" more British).

[Aleister Crow]

"Geek" goes back a long way, but not with it's present meaning. Originally a geek was a carnival sideshow act, usually performed by biting the heads off chickens.

From what I can find, "nerd", "nurd", and "gnurd" comes from the late 1950's and 60's, as a synonym for "square" or "drip".

Side note- The only reference I've seen for "knurd" is from Terry Pratchett, describing a state that's the opposite of drunk. Not simply sober, but right on past it- "being knurd strips away all the comforting illusions in which people usually spend their lives, letting them see and think clearly for the first time." Needless to say, it's generally very traumatic. 

[pakled]

I seem to remember a Sci-fi series about a scientist named Schimmelhorn, that went on and on about the 'nurds from de voodvork out' (proto-Jaegers? who knows?...

Perhaps 'an also-ran in Life's Lottery?' that's actually 90s, but I'm sure somewhere there's a book of turn-of-the-century slang out there.

[Captain Shipton Bellinger]

I seem to remember a Sci-fi series about a scientist named Schimmelhorn…

Good Lord! I'd almost forgotten about Papa Schimmelhorn. Randy old goat!

… that went on and on about the 'nurds from de voodvork out'

That was The Gnurrs Come From the Voodvork Out.

[HR]

"Spod" used to mean the same as geek, but it now seams to mean someone who spends a lot of time in internet chatrooms!!

[Newchurch]

I say, do you think this chap sounds a bit unclubbable, what?

[Crescat Scientia]

Does "nerd" really date to the 1950s?  I thought it was a term invented for the television show "Happy Days," and I can recall seeing some confusion about the spelling in the 1970s, that a few places spelled it "nurd" before the currently accepted spelling became commonplace.

For a good overview of slang terms from the early twentieth century for socially awkward people, may I suggest a perusal of the works of P.G. Wodehouse?  "Chump" and "bimbo" mean a bit of a fool.  A "blighter" is an annoying person.

I ran into some other slang of the 1920s here.  A "heeler" is a poor dancer.  A "wet blanket" or a "killjoy" was someone who by their very presence reduced people's fun.

[Drew P]

Fathead? Braintruss?

[TVC15]

Someone or thing was 'picayunish' meaning petty or trivial.

[Kittybriton]

Absolutely. You could come across as the most frightful blister though I'm sure you're not.

[Captain Braid]

There is always the classic "Bookworm" or "Social Wallflower".

When did the American term "Poindexter" coume into use.

[Professor Hesketh]

Might be worth havong a look at some PG Woodhouse - Jeeves etc.  He was very good at coining new words and phrases that have a delightful old-fashioned charm (eg "ankle" round to the Drones, "trouser" some cash etc).  Have fun (or hi-jinks)!

[Crescat Scientia]

There is always the classic "Bookworm" or "Social Wallflower".

When did the American term "Poindexter" coume into use.

I had to look up the American term "Pointdexter" because I have never heard of it.  The source I ran into claimed it came from the "Felix the Cat" cartoons of the 1950s.  On the other hand, the source also claimed that it was still current American slang, which would no doubt be surprising to current Americans.

[MWBailey]

There is always the classic "Bookworm" or "Social Wallflower".

When did the American term "Poindexter" coume into use.

I had to look up the American term "Pointdexter" because I have never heard of it.  The source I ran into claimed it came from the "Felix the Cat" cartoons of the 1950s.  On the other hand, the source also claimed that it was still current American slang, which would no doubt be surprising to current Americans.

More recently, in the 1970s, I seem to remember that there was a blonde-mop-headed, glasses-wearing child character named Poindexter, from either
A. A TV Series, or
B . A popular movie or series of movies

Who was supposed to be an absolute genius of some sort, but was also pretty geeky and awkward (I think). That is, I believe, the current reference in question for the name as a synonym for "geek."

[MWBailey]

Pardon the double post...

I just had a go on Youtube, but the earliest show I couldfind was "Revenge of teh Nerds," which I believe is an early 80's show. The Poindexter I was referring to was in a much earlier context (say about 1975 or so).

[Hez]

"Rather bookish" also referred to the non-sporty, intellectual person.  Boffin would be equivalent to Egghead and often implied an expert in his field.  Tesla would be "the electricity boffin."
Bluestocking originally meant both genders but later referred to women.  It may be a bit too early for your character.  
edited to add highbrow.

[Fat Spider]

I agree, Jeeves and Wooster would be a good idea, damn good series. nearest I could come up with was "Weirdy"  you could always go with something modern but not quite as common like "Norm" which is an abbreviation of the name Norman which is also used to describe someone nerdy.

[ClockworkRaja]

What about Wizard? As in 'He was a real wizard with gears and grease'

[Angus A Fitziron]

I get the feeling you are looking for a discriminatory or abusive term. Unfortunately, at that time, most insults towards a man of that kind would suggest he was 'less of a man' and probably what we would see as homophobic today.

Other suggestions are:
A leery cove - a strange person who one should be cautious of - different - ref. Sherlock Holmes and Flashman.
A weirdo - not sure how old this is, but certainly older than geek even though it has had a renaissance lately.

[George Salt]

Polymath, or dilettante? (with or without eccentricity)