Hello Arabella, The word "nerd" is a slang and means a person regarded as socially dull, unsophisticated, awkward. The expression "a nerd before the term was invented" is an exaggeration. It is like saying " nerd was named after him". It shows how much he personified this character trait. As if being "nerd" was sort of made for him.She means probably he was too much of a nerd.

Do you konw who is Bill Gates? he is the founder of Microsoft Corporation, he make lots of money from his business(es), one time he was named as the richest people in the world. This is a sentance from the teacher of Bill Gates "a nerd before the term was invented". The answer is clear, it simply means that the teacher is smarter than bill gates, "nerd" is an American slang, it means smart, extra ordinary. (offensive term: an offensive term that deliberately insults somebody's physical appearance or social skills)

You have had some good answers. Try www.chinapage.com/english-chinese.html for translation into Chinese.

'Nerd' is a expression commonly used to identify something or someone as being like or a part of the nerd urban tribe. Usually, the stereotype is as follows: Likes tech. Plays with tech. Works with tech. Doesn't care too much for clothes' style, hence being oftenly out of fashion, as if with retro glasses, white shirt with short sleeves, blue tie. Doesn't care being awkward or making social suicide if he may do what he wants, like staying all night at the computer while the others go to a party. Etc. Besides that, I agree with Cherry. It's as if the expression "nerd" as made of him.