intellectual panhandling

Knowledge transfer without comprehension, or logical discovery. IE: Being trained vs. educated.

At a higher level this is akin to the Roman relationship with the Greeks, third world technology acquisition, and numerous examples.
The American Military engages in all kinds of intellectual panhandling.
by cbocity February 11, 2016
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A person who has taken 100 level classes at the local junior college in philosophy, psychology, and literature and pretends to be an intellectual by sprinkling obscure references in everyday speech. Somehow a reference to Kierkegaard will suddenly show up when deciding which toppings should go on a pizza. Or some reference they heard from the show Big Bang Theory, without citing the source, about Schrödinger's cat will pop up because they think it will impress everyone.

The comedian Dennis Miller is a good example.
"If John is so smart, why does he work as a dishwasher at Shakey's"

"Don't be fooled, John is a Community College Intellectual with an inferiority complex."
by artist1955 November 18, 2022
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A person who has taken 100 level classes at the local junior college in philosophy, psychology, and literature and pretends to be an intellectual by sprinkling obscure references in everyday speech. Somehow a reference to Kierkegaard will suddenly show up when deciding which toppings should go on a pizza. Or some reference they heard from the show Big Bang Theory, without citing the source, about Schrödinger's cat will pop up because they think it will impress everyone.
"If John is so smart, why does he work as a dishwasher at Shakey's"

"Don't be fooled, John is a Community College Intellectual with an inferiority complex."
by artist1955 November 18, 2022
Get the Community College Intellectual mug.

eminent intellectual

An intellectual is someone who spends a lot of time studying and thinking about complicated ideas.
Highly respected person.
Our ancestors were eminent intellectual.
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Pangea Intellectual Properties sued Advanced Battery Systems and about fifty other companies for patent infringment.
by The I Shing December 13, 2003
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Intellectual Masturbation

The act of thinking, discussing, and/or philosophizing to no one’s spiritual, mental, or physical benefit, but purely for the sake of one’s own pleasure, intellectual self-satisfaction, and/or pride.

Note: Not all intellectual and philosophical discussion is intellectual masturbation, it only falls under the definition when it doesn’t benefit those in engaged in it, only harms due to wasted time and an artificial satisfaction in one’s self.
I remember when all I would do was engage in intellectual masturbation on Discord. I would use fancy words and blabber all day about philosophy, without actually applying it in any way whatsoever. I just derived pleasure from hearing myself speak about such abstract and complex subjects. What a fool I was.
by Tea76Crumpets796 October 01, 2022
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Intellectual Masturbation

i.e. this is when one derives sexual pleasure contemplating an object or subject, and/or overthinking something outwith their expertise resulting in grandiosity from confirmation bias
by BitchfinderGeneral March 06, 2024
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