About the English Language

nerd nəːd/ noun informal: a foolish or contemptible person who lacks social skills or is boringly studious. Single minded, expert: 
"I was a serious nerd until I discovered girls and cars"

synonyms: bore, dull person; "a computer nerd"

In American English a curveball is a deceptive or unexpected action which poses a new challenge e.g. He threw a curveball by threatening to walk out of the meeting.  

The earliest reference to baseball comes in a diary entry of a Surrey solicitor, William Bray.