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Keener is more benign than brown-noser, but Canadians will use it with a subtle hint of irony or sarcasm to indicate politely that the "keener' is indeed a brown-noser or amusing try hard.

A keener is an ardent enthusiast. A brown-noser (aka a browner) is a sycophant. Not the same thing at all.

Also, a brown-noser should not be confused with a blue-noser.

The distinction between an ardent enthusiast and a sycophant was lost on many I encountered using the term.

A keener is also a bit of a try-hard.

A little less derogatory, in my estimation.