Where does “geek” come from?

Geek comes from Dutch gek, from Middle Dutch geck, though the original meaning is uncertain.

geek (English): A carnival performer specializing in bizarre and...

Definitions

  1. A carnival performer specializing in bizarre and...

Ancestry of “geek”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Englishgeckscorn; derision; contempt; Fool; idiot; imbecile;...
2Dutchgekcrazy, mad; ludicrous, farcical; silly, playful
3Middle Dutchgeckmadman

Words derived from “geek

Every word from Middle Dutch geck