National Be A Dork Day is July 15, and it’s to celebrate all things dorky.
There’s not a clear explanation on how to “be a dork” but here’s the literal definition:
“A silly, out-of-touch person who tends to look odd or behave ridiculously around others; a social misfit,” the dictionary entry reads.
However, other definitions describe a “dork” as a “slow-witted person.” That’s probably not what the “National Be a Dork Day” creators had in mind.
The word “dork” has been around since only the 1950s but by the 60s, “American college students had extended the meaning of dork to refer to a socially awkward person. While at first this sense of dork carried pejorative connotations, the term has since been ”taken back“ by the people it once so cruelly described, and now can even be given as a compliment.”
However, “nerds” and “geeks” are generally considered more intelligent than “dorks.”
Meanwhile, the less-used “dweeb” refers to a person who is “boring, studious,” or socially inept.
On Twitter and social media sites, users were making reference to the day.
“Today is National Be A Dork Day ? That’s EVERY DAY in MY world...” wrote one person on Twitter.
Added another: “Today is National Be A Dork Day!” Now I have an excuse for my behavior.”
