Sciolism

[fidgetspin.livejournal.com]

Sciolism noun, \ SY-uh-liz-uhm \

Means 1. Superficial knowledge; a superficial show of learning.
2. A pretentious attitude of scholarship; superficial knowledgeability.

Comes from Late Latin sciolus , "a smatterer," from diminutive of Latin scius , "knowing," from scire , "to know."

Example

American classics teachers' choice in the early national period to focus on grammar rather than other aspects of the classical inheritance resulted from their primary pedagogical goals: to mold gentlemen who navigated between sciolism and pedantry, ministers who could intelligently read the Bible, and citizens who were moral and dutiful.
- Caroline Winterer, The Culture of Classicism

Comments

[acid-gloss.livejournal.com]

In our age of Wikipedia and the like, this word is especially useful. Sciolism has been successfully integrated into vocabulary.

[rosyaristocracy.livejournal.com]

What a useful word, especially these days. I like it.

[white-guilt.livejournal.com]

Useful word. Thanks. ^^

[cameer.livejournal.com]

I like this word.