About
Neckbeard is a pejorative term referring to unattractive, overweight and misogynistic Internet users who frequent websites like 4chan and Reddit. The name is derived from a style of facial hair in which a majority of the growth is present on the chin and neck. Neckbeards are commonly associated with men who wear the fedora felt hat as a fashion accessory.
Origin
The earliest known online use of the term “neckbeard” can be found in a Wackbag Forums[3] post by member SOS on August 24th, 2003, in which he asks if the facial hairstyle is considered “ugly or sexy.”
Precursor
The neckbeard facial hairstyle, sometimes called the portmanteau “neard,” has been commonly associated with members of the Amish Mennonite Christian church fellowship (shown below). Amish men do not shave their beards after becoming married, but are forbidden to grow mustaches due to their association with the military.[2] Several notable historical figures were known to have worn the beard, including the Roman Emperor Nero, American Liberal Republican Party founder Horace Greeley and German composer Richard Wagner.
Spread
On December 19th, 2005, Urban Dictionary[1] user parttimehanyou submitted an entry for “neckbeard.”
“Derogatory term for slovenly nerdy people who have no sense of hygene or grooming. Often related to hobbies such as card gaming, video gaming, anime, et. al.”
Notable Examples
Butthurt Dweller
The image macro character Butthurt Dweller is often considered an example of a neckbeard stereotype, with captions expressing arrogant, misogynistic and immature character traits.
