Strictly defined, "Street Smart" describes a person with knowledge gained by experience rather than education.
In practical application, "Street Smart" is what stupid people claim to be in order to save face when their stupidity comes to light. It is effective in that regard, as it can not be disproved and places the individual in a higher regard than someone who is "Book Smart" by promoting their nebulous "Smarts" as being more practical than the well-educated individual's.
In the context of psychology, the claim of being "Street Smart" when an individual's stupidity is made apparent is vital to preserving their mental well-being. Most people have been engineered to have the fragile type of high self-esteem, which is self-esteem developed in the absence of actual merit that would warrant high self-esteem. As a part of this fragile self-esteem, the person will believe that they are smart regardless of real intelligence, and when that person's iteration of reality is threatened (i.e. their stupidity is made apparent) the psyche protects itself by assuring the individual that what they've been told all their life (that they are smart) is still true by denying this new and conflicting information (their obvious stupidity) and substituting it with an alternative reality, thus avoiding much Cognitive Dissonance (mental pain that results from beliefs not matching reality) and so averting a psychic break. To summarize in a quote, "I reject your reality and replace it with my own."
In practical application, "Street Smart" is what stupid people claim to be in order to save face when their stupidity comes to light. It is effective in that regard, as it can not be disproved and places the individual in a higher regard than someone who is "Book Smart" by promoting their nebulous "Smarts" as being more practical than the well-educated individual's.
In the context of psychology, the claim of being "Street Smart" when an individual's stupidity is made apparent is vital to preserving their mental well-being. Most people have been engineered to have the fragile type of high self-esteem, which is self-esteem developed in the absence of actual merit that would warrant high self-esteem. As a part of this fragile self-esteem, the person will believe that they are smart regardless of real intelligence, and when that person's iteration of reality is threatened (i.e. their stupidity is made apparent) the psyche protects itself by assuring the individual that what they've been told all their life (that they are smart) is still true by denying this new and conflicting information (their obvious stupidity) and substituting it with an alternative reality, thus avoiding much Cognitive Dissonance (mental pain that results from beliefs not matching reality) and so averting a psychic break. To summarize in a quote, "I reject your reality and replace it with my own."
Lance: "The world is flat." Or whatever.
David: "No, the world is round. That's how we have a horizon. In any case, we've been to space and seen it for ourselves. Many, many times. Dumbass."
Lance: "WHATEVER I'M NOT BOOK SMART I'M STREET SMART"
David: "No, the world is round. That's how we have a horizon. In any case, we've been to space and seen it for ourselves. Many, many times. Dumbass."
Lance: "WHATEVER I'M NOT BOOK SMART I'M STREET SMART"
by unoriginal_name33 March 10, 2017
Get the street smart mug.George: Hey, she wants me to dress "smart casual." What is that?
Jerry: I don't know, but you don't have it.
Jerry: I don't know, but you don't have it.
by chucho November 24, 2006
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something stupid people made up to make themselves feel better about themselves, aka things smart people already know
by snackdaniels May 31, 2018
Get the street smart mug.A common trait for many people, especially males, that usually grew up either in the inner city or hardworking rural environment. Average intelligence, common sense, lack of interest in reading, ability to fix most anything without needing an instruction manual, skill at handling difficult people, and a refreshing lack of personal warmth are typical traits. People who lack street smarts usually grew up or live in the suburbs, work a white collar job, regular churchgoers, stay in their personal protective cocoon, shelter their kids, and hire people to fix their things.
by waspcoloredstain October 26, 2013
Get the Street Smart mug.by Reaper22 - PBN May 18, 2004
Get the Smart Parts mug.A surveillance device attached to the side of your home without your consent. Smart meters ( or digital recording anmeters ) record and transmit via cell phone signal all the account holder's family activities relating to electricity use. Smart meters allow utilities to spy on your hydro use hour by hour, showing peaks and dips in energy consumption as little as 0.1 kwh. In Canada some utilities are sharing this personal info with local police departments without a warrant. ( a clear violation of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms )
Good Samaritan: Damn the cops raided my house and cut down my 5 marijuana plants.
Other Good Samaritan: Bummer how'd they know?
Good Samaritan: Lousy hydro utility gave them a year's worth of my smart meter data without a warrant.
Other Good Samaritan: Bummer how'd they know?
Good Samaritan: Lousy hydro utility gave them a year's worth of my smart meter data without a warrant.
by onewithagun October 6, 2012
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