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[Vector]

What's the difference, anyway?

Yeah, I'm pretty much throwing this up here and saying "discuss."  But that's because I'm soliciting advice and dictionaries aren't very good with these social nuance thingamajigs.

[Girlinhat]

I think the main difference is "an intellectual thinks and researches" while "a pseudointellectual enjoys the idea of being a free-thinker but lacks the understanding to do so."  Compare with recycling and green movements.  "I'm green, I use Tide Green Detergent."

[freeformschooler]

I've heard many varying definitions and explanations but I have never fully understood what it means to be an intellectual (which confuses me more when I am told I'm one).

I haven't ever heard of the term pseudointellectual but I am looking it up right now.

[IronyOwl]

I think the difference is that "intellectual" means "smart," whereas "pseudointellectual" means "tries to look smart." I'm drawing a blank for good analogies, but I'm sure they're out there.

[ToonyMan]

For example, a pseudointellectual will probably use the word 'pseudo' but pronounce it completely wrong and/or use the word wrong itself.

[Girlinhat]

"sway-doe" right?  Like a pseudopenis on a hyena.

[Il Palazzo]

One has the appearance of the other, but not the content.
Helps much, no?

[GlyphGryph]

Intellectual is one who enjoys learning for the sake of learning or at least puts in an effort to be well learned in a variety of subjects.
A pseudointellectual is someone who pretends to enjoy learning (or pretends to be learned) for the social standing given to intellectuals.

Note: Some pseudointellectuals may actually know quite a bit, but the overwhelming purpose is to appear smart to others rather than because they actually value the knowledge.

[Helmaroc]

Dictionary.com defines 'pseudo' as:
1. not actually but having the appearance of; pretended; false or spurious; sham.
2. almost, approaching, or trying to be.

So everyone is right.

[kaijyuu]

To me "pseudointellectual" is one of those buzz word insults that are used to attack someone you don't like. It's literally the same as calling someone stupid (or perhaps more generously, "normal" instead of smart).

If you see someone tossing that word around it's a sure sign they're either a pompous jerk or a "pseudointellectual" themselves. Or both.

[MetalSlimeHunt]

The same as what's been said so far, fake intellectuals. People who want to learn, not to learn things, but purely to elevate their social status.

[freeformschooler]

To me "pseudointellectual" is one of those buzz word insults that are used to attack someone you don't like. It's literally the same as calling someone stupid (or perhaps more generously, "normal" instead of smart).

If you see someone tossing that word around it's a sure sign they're either a pompous jerk or a "pseudointellectual" themselves. Or both.

That's such a pseudointellectual thing to say!

I think GlyphGryph's explanation is good enough for me and lines up with the things I've been reading.

[Girlinhat]

Pfft, you people are just hipsters...

[Max White]

Intellectual: Somebody who has the capacity to know there are things they don't understand, and makes an effort to learn about them.
Pseudointellectual: Hipsters in turtle necks.

[Vector]

So, most of the people in high school who read Nietzsche and Marx, then?