Concept in Definition ABC

It is said that someone is a know-it-all when he brags about his knowledge and culture to others, but in reality it is attitude exaggerated and does not correspond to its true worth intellectual. In Spanish there are some synonymous words, such as sabihondo, enterado, sabidillo or marisabidilla (the latter is used only in feminine, as it refers to women). Consequently, a know-it-all is a pedantic and arrogant person, an attitude that is socially frowned upon.

The use of this word

If we say that an individual is a know-it-all, this adjective can be used in different language contexts

1) to indicate that someone thinks he is smarter than he is,

2) to censor the arrogant attitude of an individual and

3) to disqualify someone who talks too much and in an inappropriate way.

The motivations of the know-it-all

Usually the know-it-all wants to show others knowledge that he doesn't really have. This attitude can be due to several reasons

1) to call up the attention About the others,

2) to hide their limitations from others and not look ridiculous,

3) because the know-it-all has a superiority complex (in the latter case it would be an unconscious mechanism to compensate for a feeling of inferiority).

An awkward character

These types of people generate discomfort to others and it is quite common for them to cause some discussion or debate unpleasant. To relate to them, some suggestions may be useful:

1) adopt a tolerant and understanding attitude,

2) don't be tempted to get into an argument with him or her and

3) resorting to the sense of humor and patience so as not to be irritated by his boasting.

The one who truly knows

Who really is a cultured person with a certain wisdom he does not adopt an attitude like that of the know-it-all. The man or the woman with a true intellectual stature is normally someone humble, because he is aware that his knowledge is small when compared to everything that he ignores. In this sense, the wise it would be the antithesis of the know-it-all.

The wise man is someone who has a desire to learnWhile the know-it-all has no intellectual modesty and considers that he already knows everything.

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Themes in Know-It-All