geek
The origin and history of geek.
Etymology
Originally carnival slang for a sideshow performer who did shocking stunts, itself from an old dialect word geck meaning "fool" — the meaning shifted over the 20th century from "oddball" to today's more affectionate "enthusiast."
Class of 1900
geek first entered the language around 1900. Other words from the same year:
See the full Class of 1900 →