pseudo-intellectualism

The practice of using sophisticated terms and/or concepts incorrectly or without thorough understanding of their intricate nuances and thus resulting in a flawed body of knowledge (i.e. erroneous beliefs). Typically people who partake in pseudo-intellectualism do so with authority and conviction as a result of some effort to understand the concepts and/or terms but lack the mental capacity to synthesize true knowledge from their efforts and thus typically do not know they are intellectually mistaken.

Yeah, that dude Phillip and I got into a political discussion and he started talking about how Sanders wants to subsidize everything and how Trump economic policies will increase the value of the dollar. He clearly doesn't even know what the word "subsidize" means, that there is a fine example of some pseudo-intellectualism.

by zerO_One March 22, 2017

pseudo intellectual

memeber of the rap group Pseudo Intellectuals

The Scion, DJ Cutler, is the DJ for the Pseudo Intellectuals

by The Science August 8, 2008

Pseudo-Intellectual

They're self-proclaimed intellectuals who try to make themselves look smart by replacing common words with words that not many people know. They would google things like "Others words to use instead of good" and use big words so they sound smart when arguing internet strangers and would forget the definition 5 minutes later. They usually have the same IQ as their shoe size.

Normal person: Headphones
Pseudo-Intellectual: Wired sound wave transduction device.

by A4775 November 25, 2020

Pseudo-Intellectual

The "intellectual" way to say "Smartass/smart-aleck/smartypants

A: This guy is sorta pseudo-intellectual

B: Just say it as smartass, tho

by Sir. B September 19, 2020

Pseudo-Intellectual

A dumb person’s idea of a smart person.

This pseudo-intellectual here talks fast and uses big, fancy words, which makes him seem smart to the unintelligent folk.

by anonymous July 29, 2021

Pseudo-Intellectual

A dumb person’s idea of a smart person.

Mr. Pseudo-intellectual over here talks fast and uses long, fancy words, so he seems quite smart to the dumb folk.

by anonymous July 29, 2021

Pseudo-Intellectual

John Green.

Person A: “Did you see the new John Green video?”
Person B: “Of course not, he’s such a pseudo-intellectual”
Person A: “what?”
Person B: “you know he’s not actually qualified to talk about most of the stuff he has opinions on”

by Idontlikedefininitions November 23, 2020