Is "neckbeard" supposed to be the new offensive term?

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likalaruku

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Nov 29, 2008
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To me, Neckbeard is a hair-fashion choice. The first internet celebrity who comes to mind who has one is TGWTG's Benzaie.
 

Rariow

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Nov 1, 2011
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I've indeed always thought of it as a term to substitute "geek" or "nerd", since those have gone from meaning "person who will get picked on in school for liking technology" to "person who likes sci-fi and fantasy and is less commonly picked on", with the problem being that liking technology is kind of what people do now. It's no longer just the weird kid who can access that strange thing called the internet on these strange machines, it's everyone.
 

Spiridion

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Oct 17, 2011
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This seems like a really odd insult to use in real life. I get using it online, as it seems basically synonymous with "basement dweller," implying a person is too socially isolated/slovenly to maintain their appearance. But it kinda falls flat as an insult when you can clearly see that someone is well kept or simply doesn't have any facial hair to speak of.
 

Zhukov

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Dec 29, 2009
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Weeeelll... I have seen quite a few people who fit the stereotype.

Y'know, if you nerdy types would just maintain your damn facial hair properly, we wouldn't be in this situation.

*scratches 2-day old stubble*
 

Spaceman Spiff

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Sep 23, 2013
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Baffle said:
Spaceman Spiff said:
look kind of sketchy
What does that mean? I googled it, but that suggests you're 'not thorough or detailed'. I'm trying to catch up on my modern lingo so it would help if you could clarify.
I'd say a shady character, somebody that might be up to no good,or...

PoolCleaningRobot said:
Basically means suspicious. Maybe out of place, untrustworthy or uncertain
these work nicely as well.
 

teamcharlie

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Jan 22, 2013
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It's not that new. And if he's the one with the goatee who feels the need to call random strangers 'neckbeard' then he's clearly already lost in a number of ways. The only thing that kind of behavior deserves is the look of sincere pity reserved for your inferiors.
 

The Funslinger

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Pink Gregory said:
You should have looked up, called him a ****, and gone about your day.
That is immediately the response I envisioned.

Then again I'm from Yorkshire, where such things are as natural as breathing.
 

Nouw

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Mar 18, 2009
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Personally I'll always associate neckbeards with my history teacher who sports this particular facial hair magnificently. He's a great history teacher to boot!
 

The Lugz

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Apr 23, 2011
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Phasmal said:
Legion said:
When a moron accuses somebody of being a fake, they can do the above. We now need to come up with a response for neckbeard. Which is a little trickier I think. Especially if the person making the insult has a beard, and the person being insulted does not...
I think the best response to being accused of being fake is either to not respond at all or to COMMIT 100000%.
`You caught me! I spent all this money and all this time playing games just to meet SEXY GAMER GUYS! It's ALL FOR YOU!!!!!`

But with neckbeard, what can you really say?
If it were me I'd probably stare off into the distance, say `That was random` and then go back to playing the game.
Hmm, there's gotta be a better comeback.
'Dear sir, if I were more philanthropically inclined I should educate you on the proper use of the term but since I am enjoying my video game I shall merely cheer you on your way with a derisive smirk.'

alternatively, you Jelly?
cause really, you know they jelly. they always jelly.
 

Owyn_Merrilin

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May 22, 2010
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The Lugz said:
Phasmal said:
Legion said:
When a moron accuses somebody of being a fake, they can do the above. We now need to come up with a response for neckbeard. Which is a little trickier I think. Especially if the person making the insult has a beard, and the person being insulted does not...
I think the best response to being accused of being fake is either to not respond at all or to COMMIT 100000%.
`You caught me! I spent all this money and all this time playing games just to meet SEXY GAMER GUYS! It's ALL FOR YOU!!!!!`

But with neckbeard, what can you really say?
If it were me I'd probably stare off into the distance, say `That was random` and then go back to playing the game.
Hmm, there's gotta be a better comeback.
'Dear sir, if I were more philanthropically inclined I should educate you on the proper use of the term but since I am enjoying my video game I shall merely cheer you on your way with a derisive smirk.'

alternatively, you Jelly?
cause really, you know they jelly. they always jelly.
The only problem is either one of those responses would just cement you as a neckbeard in their mind. Especially that first one -- I'm afraid to say it out loud, because I have a feeling my head would spontaneously generate a fedora and my beard would creep a few inches down my chin and towards my neck just from saying it XD

As far as reactions go, if some stranger said it in passing like what happened to the OP, my reaction would be something to the effect of "what is that asshole's problem?", though not necessarily said out loud.
 
Aug 1, 2010
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First: New? God no. "Neckbeard" has been floating around the net for years and years.

Second: Insult? Some people may think so but in my experience, it has always been both a term of criticism and endearment. In some circles of the net, the term has evolved. The length of one's proverbial neckbeard is an indicator of their dedication to nerd and internet culture along with a disregard of opposing opinions, shame and the things normal people do like socialize and be in relationships.

Terms are what we make them. When someone calls us something, we can ascribe any meaning we want. Words are only as powerful as people make them and they're only effective as long as the victims get upset. Personally, I would be honored to be called a neckbeard.
 

Some_weirdGuy

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Nov 25, 2010
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Owyn_Merrilin said:
The Lugz said:
Phasmal said:
Legion said:
When a moron accuses somebody of being a fake, they can do the above. We now need to come up with a response for neckbeard. Which is a little trickier I think. Especially if the person making the insult has a beard, and the person being insulted does not...
I think the best response to being accused of being fake is either to not respond at all or to COMMIT 100000%.
`You caught me! I spent all this money and all this time playing games just to meet SEXY GAMER GUYS! It's ALL FOR YOU!!!!!`

But with neckbeard, what can you really say?
If it were me I'd probably stare off into the distance, say `That was random` and then go back to playing the game.
Hmm, there's gotta be a better comeback.
'Dear sir, if I were more philanthropically inclined I should educate you on the proper use of the term but since I am enjoying my video game I shall merely cheer you on your way with a derisive smirk.'

alternatively, you Jelly?
cause really, you know they jelly. they always jelly.
The only problem is either one of those responses would just cement you as a neckbeard in their mind. Especially that first one -- I'm afraid to say it out loud, because I have a feeling my head would spontaneously generate a fedora and my beard would creep a few inches down my chin and towards my neck just from saying it XD

As far as reactions go, if some stranger said it in passing like what happened to the OP, my reaction would be something to the effect of "what is that asshole's problem?", though not necessarily said out loud.

A truly stinging/disarming reaction can often be the simplest one. Just outright laugh at them ;), (though it *really* won't work if it sounds fake or forced, so don't do it unless you can make it genuine) and the funniest bit is the more genuine/serious/arrogant they are about it, the more foolish they'll look when it totally doesn't 'work' like they wanted.

((Kinda discovered that by accident with a friend, when a random came out of nowhere and gave us this dirty look and insulted us (we had never seen them before and were quietly sitting there minding our own business), we were caught so off guard we both ended up just laughing quite genuinely, and our insulter kinda just got embarrassed and slunk away pretty quick. Which then made it even funnier))
 

anthony87

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Aug 13, 2009
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Phasmal said:
Legion said:
When a moron accuses somebody of being a fake, they can do the above. We now need to come up with a response for neckbeard. Which is a little trickier I think. Especially if the person making the insult has a beard, and the person being insulted does not...
I think the best response to being accused of being fake is either to not respond at all or to COMMIT 100000%.
`You caught me! I spent all this money and all this time playing games just to meet SEXY GAMER GUYS! It's ALL FOR YOU!!!!!`

But with neckbeard, what can you really say?
Fuck you dickhead/****/prick/wanker/shitebag/scumbag/arsehole/bastard/*****/etc.

If words don't do the trick then a swift kick in the shins usually does the job in making people feck off.
 

Olas

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Dec 24, 2011
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Neckbeard is hardly a new term. I've always thought it basically meant, as Yahtzee would put it:


Of course it's a silly term, since unkemptness is no clear indication of nerdiness.

It's also a term that exists mostly within the nerd community, so the fact that he's familiar with it at all means he's probably at least as much a nerd as you are.
 

smithy_2045

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Jan 30, 2008
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A) Neckbeard is at least 5 years old as an insult.
B) Why do you give a shit what some random douchebag thinks of you?
C) Trying to make a comeback only validates his douchebaggery.
 

Doom972

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Dec 25, 2008
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I always wondered how come it's nerdy to be playing on a handheld, while playing Candy Crush/Angrybirds/etc on a phone isn't.

As for the topic, I always thought that neckbeard for a nerd is what a nerd is for non-nerds, and is used as an insult between nerds. So far I've only seen it used in this forum.

I'm not a native English speaker, nor do I live in an English-speaking country, but I believe that douchebag wanker would be adequate if you see him again. Sounds like he's bitter and trying to spread misery, so I'd just ignore him.
 

Thaluikhain

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Jan 16, 2010
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Neckbeard is a bit like basement dweller...there's nothing inherently wrong with it, but it's included in a rather unpleasant stereotype.

The Amazing Atheist comes to mind (I think he even has a neckbeard). Someone convinced they are enlightened and progressive and intellectually superior, and who refuses to grow up or take a long hard look at themselves because of it.
 

Brian Tams

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Neckbeard? Well, there's one I've never heard from before. Quick, to the urban dictionary cave!

neckbeard
1. (n) Facial hair that does not exist on the face, but instead on the neck. Almost never well groomed.

2. (n) Derogatory term for slovenly nerdy people who have no sense of hygene or grooming. Often related to hobbies such as card gaming, video gaming, anime, et. al.
If this party is full of f*cking neckbeards, I'm out. I've got better things to do than sit around with a bunch of unwashed nerds.
How tasteful.

Yeah, I guess it is supposed to be the new insult or something.
The impulsive part of me says you should've gotten up and ripped the goatee off the kid, but the rational part of me says that it wouldn't be worth the trouble.

Unless, of course, he was standing next to a mall fountain. In which case both sides agree he should've been pushed in.
 

BoogieManFL

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Apr 14, 2008
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Who randomly insults strangers? That's a whole other level of douchebag.

If he looked relatively average, I would have stood up and said "Fuck you say?" then put my 3 years of Karate to the test if he decided to make it physical.

If he looked like a badass, I would probably limit it to something like "What the hell are you talking about?" without standing up... :)
 

Pink Gregory

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Binnsyboy said:
Pink Gregory said:
You should have looked up, called him a ****, and gone about your day.
That is immediately the response I envisioned.

Then again I'm from Yorkshire, where such things are as natural as breathing.
"What's that, pal? Yeah, ah'm playin' Purkemon, you gannin tae dee somethin' about it, man?"