Etymology Explorer › French

Where does “geek” come from?

geek (French) comes from English geek, from English geck, from Dutch gek, from Middle Dutch geck — madman.

geek (French): geek

Definitions

  1. geek

Ancestry of “geek”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishgeekA carnival performer specializing in bizarre and...
2Englishgeckscorn; derision; contempt; Fool; idiot; imbecile;...
3Dutchgekcrazy, mad; ludicrous, farcical; silly, playful
4Middle Dutchgeckmadman

Words derived from “geek”

  • geeks
Every word from Middle Dutch geck →