[Ads-l] "anorak" n., slang = studious (but not only "young") person, 2016

[Joel Berson]

Until this moment I’d never understood the appeal of family history, the draw for all those anoraks poring over their bloodlines in the back rooms of libraries.

Cal Flyn, The Australian, April 23, 2016.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/life/weekend-australian-magazine/cal-flyn-the-terrible-truths-in-my-family-history/news-story/7785e4d89d6cd479139be969a88f4047

"anorak" n., slang = studious, postdates OED (Draft Additions 1997) --1995.

The OED definition is "A boring, studious, or socially inept young person (caricatured as typically wearing an anorak), esp. one who pursues an unfashionable and solitary interest with obsessive dedication."  Genealogical researchers are often obsessively dedicated, but they are generally not young.  And generally not at the library  wearing anoraks.


Joel


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