Geeks and Snobs: Words for People with Big Hobbies
In the past, words like "nerd" and "geek" were rude ways to refer to people who were not cool. But things have changed; these days, more and more people are comfortable describing themselves with these words.
With their increased use in daily conversations, it's important to know these special terms as well as others for people with particular hobbies. Do any of them describe you?
What changed?
In the past, nerds and geeks were people who were not stylish or sociable. But they also referred to people with an intense interest in certain hobbies.
Traditionally, these hobbies were not popular with most people — for example, someone very interested in sports would probably not be called a nerd, but someone who enjoyed things like computers or comic books would.
Over time, however, these terms have become common no matter what interest a person has. The important thing is not the specific hobby, but how much passion the person has for it.
All of the terms listed below are names for people who have a deep love for something or someone. Let's take a look!
General terms
Geek/Nerd
As we mentioned earlier, these are two of the most common ways to express that someone has a strong interest in something as well as a deep knowledge of it.
My coworker is a Harry Potter nerd. She knows the details of every book in the series.
My friends and I are all computer geeks. We want to start our own software company one day.
Enthusiast
“Enthusiast” is a more formal word for someone with a deep interest.
This event attracts plant enthusiasts from around the country.
Being a record enthusiast can be very expensive!
Buff
This term is not used alone — it must be added after the subject of interest. It is commonly used for people who enjoy cars and history, but it is not limited to those.
I'm no opera buff, but I really enjoyed that performance.
This garage is a popular place for car buffs to hang out.
Lover
This one should be quite simple to understand; people who love things are "lovers"!
My friend is an animal lover. She has had many different pets over the years.
I’m a music lover, but I don’t know how to play any instruments.
Related article: Drop the Needle! Vocabulary for Vinyl Record Collectors
Nut
“Nut” is an informal word for someone who is crazy or insane. When used together with a hobby, it means the person has a very intense interest in it.
Steve is a travel nut. He visits someplace new almost every month.
Snob
"Snob" is another term that was originally only negative. Traditionally, snobs are people who think they are better than others in some way.
However, it is also commonly used to mean that someone knows a lot about something and does not accept low-quality versions of it.
I'm a coffee snob; I only drink expensive, organic brands from specialty stores.
Fanboy/Fangirl
These terms are fairly simple; they are for people who are big fans of a particular person, product or brand.
The theater was packed with fanboys and girls excited to see the new movie.
They can also be used with a negative nuance, depending on the situation.
The fangirls will harass you on social media if you say anything bad about their favorite artists.
Stan
“Stan” is unique among the other terms so far because it is specifically for someone with an interest in a celebrity.
I'm a Christopher Nolan stan. I have to see every one of his films the day they release.
It can also be used as a verb.
She stans BTS.
This expression originated from a song about an obsessed fan named Stan released by the American rapper Eminem in 2000. Although the song is about a person with an unhealthy interest, the expression is used casually.
Terms for specific interests
The expressions above can be used for a variety of subjects. The ones below, however, are used for very specific hobbies.
Cinephile
Meaning: someone who loves movies
That theater is where cinephiles go to watch movies. They have very strict rules about noise and smartphone usage.
"-phile" means "lover," and it can be used for other interests as well. For example, a Japanophile is a lover of Japan and Japanese culture, while a Francophile is a lover of France and French culture.
Bookworm
Meaning: someone who loves books
Our son has been a bookworm since he first learned to read.
Foodie
Meaning: a person who loves trying different kinds of food
With so many delicious, high-quality restaurants, this city is excellent for foodies.
Shutterbug
Meaning: a person who loves cameras and taking pictures
The night of the full moon, the park was full of shutterbugs trying to get a great picture.
Techie
Meaning: a person with a deep interest in technology
Many techies get excited whenever Apple announces new products.
Gym rat
Meaning: a person who spends a lot of time exercising in gyms
Those gym rats spend most of their free time working out.
Fashionista
Meaning: a person with a deep interest in clothing and fashion
The fancy part of town with the famous boutiques is where you can find all the local fashionistas.
Wrap-up
Instead of plainly saying that you enjoy a hobby, the terms introduced here can help you to have more fun and expressive conversations.
Also, finding English-speaking clubs focused on your hobbies is a great way to improve your language skills. So get out there and find other geeks just like you!
