The 1991 edition of Webster's dictionary, described Geek as being "the name of a carnival man whose act involved biting the head off a live chicken or snake." It also stated that the first time it was used in the English language was in 1916 describing a Wells Fargo Messenger. The quote read, "A new Wells agent struck our town the other week, and say, - you never saw a more enthusiastic Geek!"
But according to the most authoritative source of information, the Oxford English Dictionary claims that the word came from a German word, "Geck", which was used to describe a fool, a simpleton and also cited that William Shakespeare used the word in several of his plays.
Modern day translates the word Geek as merely an updated form of the word, "nerd", but is described as less pejorative in tone. Meaning, it just sounds nicer.
"Geek" has become more popular in the modern day, because descriptively, it is one who not only became obsessed with their computer, but also achieved a high level of expertise in their field. Well, Realtors certainly have achieved a high level of expertise, and they without a doubt, are computer savvy. Hmmm.
How would you describe a Real Estate Geek then? One who follows a mastermind guru? One who has all the latest software and mails out newsletters; one who provides his own expertise in marketing and uses virtual aids to entice his client? Do they align themselves with the infamous "geeks" such as, Einstein, Beethoven, or like the super hero's, Rocky, the Bionic woman or even one of Charlie's Angels?
So, is Geek a good tag-line or an unkind one?
A very clever professor, at the university where he teaches, proposed a speech to new inbound students, suggesting a new meaning of the word Geek. He challenged the dictionary enthusiasts of the world to adopt a more profound acceptable description of the word. His definition was meant to reach thousands of students and educators around the world.
His suggestion of the word GEEK: Genuine Enthusiast for Education and Knowledge.
The professor told his students that there are Music Geeks, Literature Geeks, and Psychology Geeks; there are Geeks of Business, Geeks of Education, and Geeks of the Arts. But the most important message he gave, was that today's Geeks were the creators in society, not just the consumers. So he felt Geek was a good word.
Now how can that apply to the Realtor Geeks? If you are the creators in society, and there are so many of you, perhaps you can be instrumental in helping the consumers out of the Real Estate mess we are in. You can stand strong to voice an outcry for those who lost their homes. You can assist by working together to find possible solutions through networking and meeting with banks, brokers and those influential in the decision making process to help right a wrong. Your mailings and newsletters can reach thousands and provide hope to thousands, who just want to relive the American dream again of owning a home. You can empower yourselves in numbers and make a difference. It's your market; your consumer and your livelihood..be a real GEEK and defend your territory!
Either that, or perhaps we should stick with the definition that describes us "Geeks" as oddballs, who eat chicken and beef, (but not snakes) and certainly not without heads!
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