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pundit

Beware the pundit, a supposed expert who imparts deep knowledge to us more ignorant folks. Pundits are often blowhards, mere hacks, and you might well want to take what they say with a pinch of salt.

Why not call them simply experts? Because pundit is a lovely word that has a slightly mocking sense to it. Classic examples of the pundit are talk radio show hosts and professional sports commentators, all brilliant dispensers of hot air amongst the odd insight and statistic. Our modern day pundit is a far cry from the original meaning of the word, a "learned man, master, or teacher," from the ancient Hindi word payndit.

DEFINITIONS OF: pundit

1

n someone who has been admitted to membership in a scholarly field

Synonyms:
initiate, learned person, savant
Types:
polymath
a person of great and varied learning
Type of:
bookman, scholar, scholarly person, student
a learned person (especially in the humanities); someone who by long study has gained mastery in one or more disciplines
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