Naked or Nude?

[codylechien]

I'm just curious if there is a difference - subtle, to be sure - between the terms "nude" and "naked". They are used interchangeably, I think, but are there subtle differences? Are people under 35 naked and people over 35 nude when not wearing clothes? Do naked people earn $100K or less and nude people $100K or more? Are Southerners naked and Northerners nude? Can someone tell me if there is a difference in the two terms?

[codylechien]

I'm just curious if there is a difference - subtle, to be sure - between the terms "nude" and "naked". They are used interchangeably, I think, but are there subtle differences? Are people under 35 naked and people over 35 nude when not wearing clothes? Do naked people earn $100K or less and nude people $100K or more? Are Southerners naked and Northerners nude? Can someone tell me if there is a difference in the two terms?

[Nu]

My first thought was that IMHO there was no difference between "naked" and "nude".

But, then I read freedom2be's reply, and now think this is a great interpretation.
Well done.

[ricky bobby]

I like the word nude myself. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/happy.gif

[Rabid_Clam]

Honestly I find absoutely no difference between the two other than how they are used in the sentence.

[namedun]

I think in the common vernacular, naked sounds more vulnerable and embarassed. Nude is defintely more intentional, strong, even proud.

[Bob S.]

I tend to associate nude with art. Naked is more of an actionable term, as in you are doing something while naked.

Bob S.

[Florida Cracker]

Nude is when you have your clothes off in a legitimate situation. Naked is when you have your clothes off when they should be on. And nekkid is when you have your clothes off with some bit of mischief in mind. Thats the old southern interpretation, LOL !
Florida Cracker

[codylechien]

Thanks everyone for your inputs. I think it stirred up some interesting thots and perspectives. And the topic got a 5 STAR rating. (I'm not really sure how THAT happens, but I assume it's a good thing. Can 1 person hit 5 star and make it so?)

[Steve Dallas]

Actually the two originally had very distinctly different meanings. Nude meant "unclothed". Naked meant "unprotected". By the time the St. James bible was published, (after going through about five languages), the words were being used interchangably.

[nimrod]

I believe this topic has been discused before. My response is the same I am nude with no clothes on but I can be naked fully dressed, I feel that naked is more of a state of mind, or an emotional state. That is my opion for what it is worth.

[TANZ]

I prefer "Natural" cause that is what it is.

Cheers
KIWI

[james423]

I tend to use them interchangably, as in "It's National Nude Week -get naked!" There once was a definitional difference, but today they mean pretty much the same thing.

[Bushnud2]

Free Beaches Australia have found that when dealing with local State Government and local City Councils - the term 'Naturist' is more acceptable.
That is a fact. So when negotiating with local Government officials for a new c/o beach, they refer to a Naturist beach.

Bushnud
Queensland