Notifications
Clear all

Polymath equivalent?

20 Posts
1 Users
0 Reactions
0 Views
Posts: 0
Guest
(@Anonymous)
Joined: 1 second ago

A person who is a polymath knows a great deal about a wide range of topics. Is there a word for a person who is interested in a wide range of topics but doesn't know a great deal about them?

19 Replies
Posts: 0
Guest
(@Anonymous)
Joined: 1 second ago

Jack of all trades?

Reply
Posts: 0
Guest
(@Anonymous)
Joined: 1 second ago

In adjective form, I might say multifarious if your interests have found outward expression. As a noun phrase, a Renaissance dilettante?

Reply
Posts: 0
Guest
(@Anonymous)
Joined: 1 second ago

Thanks Heimhenge and Glenn:
I think Jack of All trades suggests a competence in all of the trades: that is different than being interested in everything. Renaissance dilettante has a pejorative feel to it. But like multifarious if combined with interests. That's the way I'm going to describe myself until someone calls me on it. I am a person with multifarious interests or on second thought maybe we invent a new noun,"multifarion" I like that batter.

Reply
Posts: 0
Guest
(@Anonymous)
Joined: 1 second ago

To expand on my previous comment, that phrase is often expanded to "jack of all trades, master of none." So it's almost implied, imho, that what is being accorded is merely "competence" aot "mastery."

And Garry, I do like your suggestion of "multifarion." Maybe it'll catch on.

Reply
Page 1 / 4