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.

a person who spends more time trying to look intelligent than actually being intelligent.

Someone who pretends to be more intelligent than they are.

4 signs of the pseudo-intellectual

1. Quoting

2. Going against common thought without evidence

3. Bringing up intellectualism in non-requistite situations

4. Un-neccersary use of verbs and adjectives with 4 syllables or more

1. One who attempts to flex intellect that does not exist within his or her own mind.

2. Can probably be found with a thesaurus in hand, while in a chat room, looking up new insults that are synonymous with "stupid" in order to boost his or her own undeserved ego.

3. Typical cases of pseudo-intellectualism involve pre-pubescent 15 year olds that think they have everything figured out, including, but not limited to: life, religion, politics, education, and sex. Ironically, they have never quite experienced either of the aforementioned.

4. Pretends he or she has an opinion.

5. Posseses a severe tendency to blindly and wholeheartedly believe any bullshit they hear, only to subsequently regurgitate the misinformation to anyone they see in an asinine attempt to appear more intelligent than a used, broken condom.

6. Should the victim of the verbal onslaught happen to have a differing opinion, the pseudo-intellectual will revert to his or her thesaurus and insult the opposition with words he or she never knew existed, and probably cannot even pronounce.

7. Annoyingly and constantly refers to the word antidisestablishmentarianism, as if knowledge of said word defined his or her illegitimately high intelligence quotient.

8. Typically a hypocrite; creates many, many contradictions. Most online grammar/spelling Nazis can relate.

9. Always ends a bullshit "argument" with, "I win, so stfu." Win what, dipshits? Your opinions weren't fact in the first place.

Someone who pursues knowledge in a variety of categories for purely social reasons and tends to have only a basic understanding of many concepts.

The pseudo-intellectual doesn't seek knowledge for the purpose of better understanding the world, but rather to enhance their image. They also prefer to interpret concepts in a way that allows them to use their knowledge as a weapon in social scenarios. They'll use the misinterpretation of facts to appear objective and correct, and thus unaccountable, when "talking shit" on another person.

The pseudo-intellectual will challenge opinions or views as a way of making a personal attack. They then usually assume an imagined victory and will feel that the one they've attacked has been "put in their place". Pseudo-intellectuals are very catty and have a strong desire to socially dominate others.

Pseudo-intellectuals are quick to judge others and are usually very sure of their superiority based on their ability to use knowledge as social ammo. They'll use any means available to prove themselves "correct" and tend to believe that being correct gives them a blank check for any social pursuits, including ones that are undertaken purely for self gratification.

Given their usual motivation to either impress or dominate their peers, the Pseudo-intellectual is completely uninterested in any knowledge that they can't use in this capacity.

Pseudo-intellectuals are people of average intelligence who are enchanted with highly intellectual topics and discussions such as philosophy, socioeconomics, destiny of humanity, etc.

Unlike a genuine academic, a pseudo-intellectual’s main reason for being interested in these topics is because it makes him feel intellectually superior to his peers. He usually despises main stream culture, accuses those who disagree with him as being ignorant, and when his ideas are challenged, he often retaliates with “That’s a straw man argument!”

Pseudo-intellectuals can often be found in political discussion boards on the internet, patronizing boutique shops, participating in various Anti-something rallies, sitting on a park’s bench during a weekend afternoon and playing a guitar, or spending eight consecutive years in college trying to earn a B.A degree in political science or philosophy.

Refers to two types of individuals:

1) Someone who lacks knowledge, but who tries to compensate by pretending to be very smart, by carrying around impressive looking books on science, math, literature, and related subjects. May also wear a trendy, sophisticated pair of eyeglasses.

For the most part, this type is harmless.

2) Someone who has a serious personality disorder. These types derive a great deal of pleasure by "enlightening" others with their "brilliance" and "wit".

Their primary method of operation is to use irony and sarcasm to taunt those who they believe do not live up to their standards. Virtually every word out of their mouth is some unnecessary, smartass remark.

They lack the ability to have a genuine, sincere conversation with anyone. Instead of having a healthy, balanced, back-and-forth exchange, they pontificate and talk down to those who have the misfortune of not escaping the room before they walk in.

It is a waste of time to point out to these disturbed individuals that their behavior is obnoxious, as they will inform you that you simply lack the ability to understand their "superior" view of the world.

Basically, it's someone who thinks that being an argumentative wiseass somehow makes them cultured and fun to be around, and that shouting at the rain and being disagreeable for the sake of being disagreeable somehow makes them substantive.

the person above me^^^^