Aspies For Freedom

I don't know how many times in my life someone has said this to me.  Uncountable!  (And the rate seems to be picking up in the last few years....)  I usually take it as a compliment (although I must confess I am getting a little tired of it nowadays).

I've always understood people to mean that they thought I was a bit odd -- and I'm still sure that's how they have meant it.  Yet, I never looked up the word until tonight -- and I'm amused at what I've found!

According to the American Heritage Dictionary, it's only the second definition that means of a strikingly odd or unusual character; strange.  The first definition is actually:  of, relating to, or suggestive of the preternatural or supernatural; and the third definition is:  (Archaic) of or relating to fate or the Fates.

*****

To take the first definition, I'm not much of a believer in the supernatural, but the preternatural (that I may be preternatural according to those who think I am weird) is kinda neat!:

preternatural:  out of or being beyond the normal course of nature; differing from the natural;  -- surpassing the normal or usual; extraordinary.

How true of Aspies! -- especially the extraordinary part.    (Not that I don't think we aren't 'natural' -- I think we very much are.  But, in the eyes of most NTs, when they compare us to themselves, we are not viewed as 'normal' or 'natural.'  In that sense, I agree I am 'preternatural'.)

*****

And, then there's the third definition of weird -- (Archaic) of or relating to fate or the Fates.  Apparently, the word weird comes from the Old English word, wyrd, meaning fate...

The word comes from Anglo-Saxon verb weorþan, to become, and itself derives from an Indo-European root verb meaning to turn.  In its literal sense, it refers to the past, or 'That which has become'.  In its wider sense, it refers to how past actions continually affect and condition the future.  It also stresses the interconnected nature of all actions, and how they influence each other.  The concept has some relation to the ideal of predestination.  Unlike predestination, however, the concept of Wyrd implies that while we are affected and constrained by our past actions, we are constantly creating our own Wyrd through how we respond to present situations.

I like that.  I like thinking that I have a hand in my own fate (whether it's true or not...).

So, now the next time someone calls me weird, not only will I take it as a compliment, I'll thank them heartily and be on my way.  


http://www.thefreedictionary.com/weird

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wyrd

Such a detailed definition of "weird"!  

Now, I'll know what everyone means when they call me that!

Exactly  

Usually being weird is viewed negatively. But I have found that the people who actually say that you're weird to your face tend to see it as something positive, as if being weird interests them, makes them want to get to know about you. The people who view it negatively just call you weird behind your back and think of you as dirt.

People who I becomes friends with or well-acquainted with have usually made a comment to the effect that I am weird.

I'v been called weird, since as far back as I can remember.  Now I use it as a badge of honor of non-conformity to the social "norm". :razz:   Go ahead and call me weird, just smile when you say that!! :wink:

Peace

My friends call me weird... and I call myself weird.

That's true with adults. With school kids it is often different. I remember when I was in school(school meaning school before college) the majority of the students were always making fun of me, when they were not doing that, they were ignoring me. My friends, were the few that actually talked to me without making fun. Today, my friends in college are a lot like those friends. People I know at work are different. They tease me, but they also tease everyone else(even though they tease me a little more than the others). But they are also friendly. They consider me weird, but not a complete outcast. When I get tired of being the main target for their teasing, I tell them to focus on someone else... they usually do but they still think that I taking it too seriously(not true... it just makes me tired-literally tired).

ozymandias -- Love that Schopenhauer quote!  

Thank you, and your Douglas Adams quote tickles my fancy as well! :grin:

Peace

It is not really a compliment to call someone:  within normal limits, average, ordinary, not unique, common, mediocre.

If someone is described as formidable, excellent etc.  They are considered above average,  extraordinary.    Being just different is not the same.

Being called weird is just a subjective opinion.  It is not based in fact or backed by any empirical data.  I guess someone could make up a "weirdness test" that gives a "weirdness score".   How useful is that except for some entertainment value.  Of course, then someone would take it seriously and start using it in job interviews.