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Pseudo-intellectual

A) synonym for Hipster

B) one who makes proclamations that to the lay-person may sound edgy, controversial, new, deep or thought-out, but to anyone with more detailed knowledge, will be instantly dismissed as a load of posturing bullshit.
One of their favoured fallacies when challenged on an absurdity is the courtier's reply - 'you just don't understand/aren't clever enough/aren't in the know'.

They lack social graces and wisdom, and are quick to jump on factual errors to make themselves feel better, as they pride intellectual prowess over good manners, kindness and humour which makes them tiresome company.
They do not believe in intellectual democracy for the betterment of others, but aristocracy to belittle others.

They will insist you read books, watch films and listen to music they've heard of but may not have read, seen or heard themselves, and enjoy dropping names of authors, directors, musicians and other artists that are avante-garde, cult or classical, even if they have no real exposure to their work, most likely having read about them in a paper, magazine or website aimed at the pretentious and po-faced. They are also vulnerable to being 'Sokal'd' in their desperation to look learned and superior.

Most tellingly, the pseudo-intellectual is prickly and insecure around those they might learn from, while a well-adjusted, moderately intelligent person is always keen to learn from those with greater insight and reading.
Pseud'; 'but of course, Ingmar Bergman's films are so camp'.
Sycophants; hahahaha!
Somebody who has seen a Bergman film; 'Utter shite! Name me one and describe how it is 'camp', or consider yourself a pseudo-intellectual'.
Pseud'; i don't have to explain my reasoning to you'.
by Klaatu's Nikto November 29, 2017
mugGet the Pseudo-intellectualmug.
A gathering of people pretending that they are intelligent and congratulating each other for it.
Oh man. I remember years ago when TED conferences were filled with genuinely inspiring, fascinating and ground-breaking presentations. That recent TEDx conference was just a pseudo-intellectual circle jerk.
by PseudoIntellect July 2, 2012
mugGet the Pseudo-Intellectual Circle Jerkmug.
"What's your religion?"

" aesthetic existentialist pseudo intellectual. i R winz 4ever."

Hehe you said " I are winz "

Footnote:
Just wiki: aestheticism, Nietzsche

Then Urbandictionary :
Pseudo intellectual
Then Wiki Cogito Ergo Sum

Because anything worth knowing is worth working hard for.

That is the meaning of aesthetic existentialist pseudo intellectual.
by Clarence Senterekxentrix November 27, 2010
mugGet the aesthetic existentialist pseudo intellectualmug.
A verb where people who think they're smart, agree with each other and create ridiculous ideas.

Similar to "mental masturbation" but with idiots.
by Andy Kaufman5252 December 15, 2010
mugGet the Pseudo-Intellectual Circle Jerkmug.

Pseudo-intellectual

An individual who spends more time trying to flex their intellect rather than actually wanting to learn. Pseudo-intellectuals aren't unintelligent or uneducated per se, however the crux of the issue is that they are not as intelligent as they are letting on. For example, to be an intellect on a specific subject, an intellectual would read multiple books or articles then study them in order to retain all the information. A pseudo-intellectual would read one article and label themselves an expert on the subject.
Ways to spot a pseudo-intellectual

1. Plagiarising
2. Quoting
3. Using advanced language to make themselves sound smart, but fails because they use the word incorrectly
4. They use their knowledge as a weapon. For example smart people want to pass on the knowledge they have to other people to inform them on a certain subject. Pseudo-intellectuals on the other hand seek to impress and show off, so put others down to increase their feelings of superiority and lower the self worth of others for their own personal gain
5. They like to start arguments whether it is on politics, philosophy, religion or science, but it ends up backfiring on them due to only retaining snippets of information on these topics, but not the full story, whereas their opponent has been pre-educated before the debate and read multiples books and sources on the topic throughly, thus absolutely thrashing the pseudo-intellectual in a debate. Ultimately never begin a debate on something you know nothing about because people will get the impression thag you're just desperate to flex your knowledge when there probably isn't much of it.
by UltimateDoge May 25, 2022
mugGet the Pseudo-intellectualmug.

pseudo-intellectual

"Everyone on Reddit is a pseudo-intellectual"
by Sheep29 August 25, 2023
mugGet the pseudo-intellectualmug.

Pseudo-Intellectual

People who pretend to be experts in a field they know nothing about, AKA a Redditor.
by Sheep29 August 25, 2023
mugGet the Pseudo-Intellectualmug.

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