Unpopular opinion: I think we need a better term than 'board game geek'

I was at a game night in Portland last month and someone introduced me as a 'geek' to their friend, and it just felt weird. It made the hobby sound niche in a way that doesn't fit anymore. What's a better, more welcoming label we could use?

4 comments

4 Comments

nancyjones2mo ago

Did the word "geek" bother you because it felt like a label, or was it more about how the other person said it?

sean8542mo ago

That label does feel pretty dated now that games are everywhere. What part of the "geek" term bothered you the most, was it the niche feel or something else about the word?

cameronp472mo ago

Seriously, @sean854, who cares what we're called if we're having fun?

reesej271mo ago

You know what's more dated than the word geek? My high school AIM screenname. But yeah, @sean854 has a point, the niche feel of that label just doesn't fit anymore. It's like calling everyone who drives a car a "gearhead." The fun part is what matters, not the old name we stick on it. I stopped worrying about labels when I realized my coolest friends are the ones who get just as excited about this stuff as I do.