The term "road geek"

[bugo]

A geek is a circus performer who specializes in eating things other people would find disgusting--things like snakes, bugs, etc.  The term roadgeek is, therefore, inherently denormalizing (if not denigrating) and also suggests that the interest defines who you are, to the exclusion of other qualities.  I understand the arguments in favor of reclaiming it in much the same way rappers have claimed the N-word and elements of the gay community have reclaimed the Q-word, but that is not a project I am personally interested in.  Roads enthusiast is otiose but, I think, more accurately descriptive of the fact that roads are one interest out of many for most people involved in this hobby.

What he said.

[agentsteel53]

I've eaten roadkill so I suppose I am a roadgeek.

[SSOWorld]

I've eaten roadkill so I suppose I am a roadgeek.

<_<

[NJRoadfan]

See username.

[adventurernumber1]

When I hear the word geek, what pops into my mind is simply someone who is very obsessive about something, or knows a lot about something, therefore, I am perfectly fine calling myself, or being called a "road geek". Though when I'm talking about the community as a whole, I'll usually say road enthusiasts, or people that are into roads. But there have been a few times where I've referred to this as the "roadgeek community". I'm fine being called anything (roadgeek, road enthusiast, road scholar, etc.).

[Zeffy]

Holy. Crap. A 5 year bump. That might just be a new record... 

[Scott5114]

I want to say we've had worse.

[freebrickproductions]

I know another forum I'm part of has had threads 6+ years old bumped before.

[NE2]

I want to say we've had worse.

I want to say that I want to say that you're right. But I'm not actually going to say it because commitment sucks.

[Duke87]

If I call myself anything other than a "roadgeek" in the context of this hobby I feel like I am using a euphemism.

Because let's be honest, having an obsession with roads and all the habits that come along with it is weird. But rather than deny it or gloss it over I just embrace it. Call me weird all you want. I would take it as more of an insult if you told me I was normal.

[froggie]

It may be weird to some, but it's no worse than other hobby obsessions.

[cjk374]

"Railfan" is used to describe those who enjoy railroads as a hobby.  The term "foamer" is to railfans what "viatologist" is to roadfans (especially the ones here  ). 

[Roadrunner75]

I prefer "roadnut"

[Zeffy]

It may be weird to some, but it's no worse than other hobby obsessions.

I agree. Anything really can be a hobby, so why can't roads and highways and the such be one as well? But to be honest, for the first 15 years of my life, I suppressed my interest in roads because I thought I was the only one like myself. For some reason, I never thought about Googling it - just seemed weird at the time. Then around 10th grade I found myself doodling maps of Hillsborough and Somerset County and drawing (bad) signs. I forget what exactly led me to AARoads, but boy was I pleasantly surprised to see this place. Alex is amazing for creating this site, and I also enjoy sprucing it up and helping him with anything he needs.

Besides, the joke is on the people who make fun of us who can't navigate without a GPS and then rely on others to get them to where they need to be.

[Tom958]

I say, "I'm a roadgeek. I'm into highways the way that others are into handguns or Hummel figurines."

[adventurernumber1]

It may be weird to some, but it's no worse than other hobby obsessions.

I agree. Anything really can be a hobby, so why can't roads and highways and the such be one as well? But to be honest, for the first 15 years of my life, I suppressed my interest in roads because I thought I was the only one like myself. For some reason, I never thought about Googling it - just seemed weird at the time. Then around 10th grade I found myself doodling maps of Hillsborough and Somerset County and drawing (bad) signs. I forget what exactly led me to AARoads, but boy was I pleasantly surprised to see this place. Alex is amazing for creating this site, and I also enjoy sprucing it up and helping him with anything he needs.

Besides, the joke is on the people who make fun of us who can't navigate without a GPS and then rely on others to get them to where they need to be.

I was actually very open about my interest in elementary school. I'd carry around my Rand McNally, and sometimes in class I'd doodle maps. Kids started to really make fun of me though, so in middle school I kept my interest rather hidden, but last year in 8th grade I didn't care anymore. A kid laughed at me for watching a road video on YT on my phone, but sucks for him, because he'll be lost one day on the road. I don't care what anyone thinks anymore. I'm proud to be a roadgeek! 

[Zzonkmiles]

It's interesting how enthusiasts are referred to depending on what they are passionate about:

1. Sports fan
2. Political/news junkie
3. Road geek
4. Video game nerd
5. Trivia buff
6. Dancing aficionado
7. Animal lover
8. Computer geek
9. Coin/stamp collector

You don't hear sports fans refer to themselves as sports geeks even though they might be able to tell you the ERA of the star pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles in 1978, for example. The terms "lover" and "fan" seem more commonly used for activities that are deemed "popular" or "mainstream" or "acceptable." You can be a "dog lover," but not a "dog geek." But how is it not geeky to be able to identify obscure dog breeds or explain the behavioral differences between Breed X and Breed Y?

So yeah, I don't like the term road "geek" myself because it sounds like we enjoy something "weird." But at the same time, "geek" is changing its connotations for the better. Best Buy has the "Geek Squad," for example. So I'm conflicted. I just tell people "I love roads."

[hbelkins]

I'm guessing the term "roadgeek" first came into use on MTR, although I can't remember who may have been the first person to use the term. i remember some early meets being referred to as "roadgeek meets" although I generally just call them "road meets" now. Rich Carlson started the Roadgeek Yahoo group, and I'm sure that came as a result of the term being used on MTR.

As for me, I don't mind the term. I use it to describe myself. "Enthusiast" seems a little too stuffy. "Fan," to me, doesn't fit at all. I'm a fan of sports teams and musicians and the like, and I'm a fan of certain roads (and not a fan of others). "Scholar" strikes me as bit pretentious, and Kentucky has a "Roads Scholar" course that is taught to maintenance employees of state and county garages.

[Scott5114]

I want to say we've had worse.

I want to say that I want to say that you're right. But I'm not actually going to say it because commitment sucks.

More like I want to say it but I'm too lazy to look it up and confirm it.

[vdeane]

It would be pretty impressive.  The thread is nearly as old as the forum.

[hotdogPi]

It would be pretty impressive.  The thread is nearly as old as the forum.

I think the first post is January 19, 2009. (It might be 17 though.)

[Laura]

I grew up in a time where nerds and geeks were all the rage. People liked bands like Weezer where the lead singer Rivers Cuomo went to Harvard and the band dressed nerdy. I used to have a Hello Kitty shirt in high school that said "I love Nerds" with Hello Kitty wearing glasses. I was a nerd and never had any problems going on dates or the like because there were so many of us nerds and geeks, and most of us weren't made fun of. Our prom king was a huge geek for D&D and anime and stuff! We used "geeking" as a word. I'm geeking out over _____. I'm geeky for ______.

I am a roadgeek and proud of it.

[Pete from Boston]

I grew up in a time where nerds and geeks were all the rage. People liked bands like Weezer where the lead singer Rivers Cuomo went to Harvard and the band dressed nerdy. I used to have a Hello Kitty shirt in high school that said "I love Nerds" with Hello Kitty wearing glasses. I was a nerd and never had any problems going on dates or the like because there were so many of us nerds and geeks, and most of us weren't made fun of. Our prom king was a huge geek for D&D and anime and stuff! We used "geeking" as a word. I'm geeking out over _____. I'm geeky for ______.

I am a roadgeek and proud of it.

None of this was the case when I grew up.

"Geek" is cutesy in the way that adult kickball leagues are cutesy.  It evolved, IMO, as a way to counter stigma, and therefore is defined by it.  It's like as "queer" in this way.  I never got the thrill of embracing "geek."  I think it's probably different if you came around after this transition.

Thank god it is nowhere near as schmaltzy, saccharine, and punch-inducing as "foodie."  I swear, you grow up cooking and suddenly people want to call you something that sounds like a mythical pixie with a glass of chardonnay, that flaunts hifalutin terms it learned yesterday and owns an expensive stove it doesn't know how to use.

[1995hoo]

I know another forum I'm part of has had threads 6+ years old bumped before.

Funny timing. Yesterday a thread on the Acurazine forum was bumped. Its last previous post was in 2006.

[hbelkins]

"Geek" is cutesy in the way that adult kickball leagues are cutesy.

Don't be dissing adult kickball leagues. Doug Kerr may have something to say about that.