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But amateur has taken on a negative connotation in the common vernacular.

"Amateurish" or "amateurishly" feel damning and assertions about a certain absence of quality or attention to detail.

Describing someone as a "total amateur" feels a bit like calling them a hack.

This needs a separate word or concept.




Dilletante already exists to mean someone who doesn’t do something with seriousness and amateur doesn’t carry the same connotation as amateurish anyway so you don’t really need a new word.


Nit: It's "Dilettante"


The term 'nerd' needs to complete its rehabilitation like 'geek' has the last 20 years. It's the most concise term I can think of when describing someone who is enthusiastic, focused, and knowledgable on a subject. I think it's a badge of honor


There's "aficionado", though that feels a little pretentious


We could try reclaiming the word.




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