This word “weird” does not seem to have negative meaning according to the dictionaries. But when people describe other people or talk about other people, I get the impression that it is used in a negative way.
In my opinion, people regard someone (or something, but specifically someone) as strange when they don’t understand it. Therefore, other people’s inability to comprehend him does not make him negative. (does not mean he really is negative, or has negative personal traits)
“There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so”.
There are certainly some people who use “weird” as a compliment. Consider the slogan “Keep Austin weird” which some people in Austin, Texas treat as their motto:
People are social animals and like to feel like they belong to the larger group. If someone is “weird” that is different and therefore outside of the group. As group animals, that makes us uncomfortable at a primal level.
Interesting term weird. The adjective derives from a noun dating way back to the 9th century and meaning (I quote from OED):
Earliest cite for the adjective is circa 1400 and here too the sense was:
This is how Shakespeare uses it in Macbeth, the Weird Sisters.
For the modern senses of Of strange or unusual appearance, odd-looking. and *Out of the ordinary course, strange, unusual; hence, odd, fantastic. * we have to wait until the early 19th century but there’s no hint that it’s in any sense derogatory, although I’m sure that some will attach that meaning to it, the sort of people for whom any deviance from the norm is regarded with suspicion and distaste.
Good question. Now that you mention it, Weird Science, “Weird Al,” and “Keep [whatever city] Weird” … that used to be kind of a little trope going on.
I hear it all the time as a semi-ironic under-the-breath “not”-insult. Plausible deniability? Passive aggression? Many of the new hires I see are hipster-ish young fresh-off-the-campus types – maybe I picked it up from them. Like a fungus. I like it, though, so I use it.
Typically, yes. Usually “you’re weird” is thrown out as a negative by someone that’s having trouble keeping up with the conversation or has no knowledge of the subject being discussed. It’s not like people are going to say “I’m slow,” so they turn it around.
I like weird. It’s what makes someone interesting, their quirks and habits add up to personality. I accept I’m a little (lot!) weird because I can’t stand most of the conformist herd opinions that seem to make most people feel safe and happy. Self-encased small minds fear differences because it makes them look too hard at themselves and find they are lacking in courage and heart.