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A Better Word than Ignorance to Mean “noviceness?”

Guest

2011/04/22 – 7:03am

I frequently find myself needing a word like “noviceness” to mean the state of being a novice, and end up using the word “ignorance,” which has a negative connotation. I found a word “novitiate,” which I think is outside most peoples’ vocabulary. I’m not even sure if it’s correct to say, “forgive my novitiate, but…”

Does anyone have any other ideas?

Thanks,
Jeff

Guest

2011/04/22 – 8:10am

It sounds like you want a fairly common word, rather than something exotic. To describe myself, I might make a different choice than when describing someone else. It sounds as if you wish to describe yourself, so I will go with that assumption.

How about: naivetÃ©; unfamiliarity; unenlightenment?

For adjectives, you could also press agent nouns into service: my rookie mistake; my neophyte understanding; my newcomer brashness; my tenderfoot hesitation; beginner’s luck.

Guest

2011/04/22 – 9:11am

Thanks Glenn! I think naivetÃ© still sounds a bit negative, but you did make me think of another word: “Forgive my inexperience, butâ€¦” The need for this often came up for me because I’m not necessarily unfamiliar, just not yet an expert, and want to acknowledge that upfront.

Thanks,
Jeff

Guest

2011/04/22 – 9:27am

Excellent word!

Guest

2011/04/22 – 4:48pm

I must be the first “cowboy” to post on this topic. How about “greenhorn”? As in, “Forgive me for being a greenhorn.”

Guest

2011/04/22 – 7:48pm

I must be the first n00b to post on this topic. How about “n00b”, used as “greenhorn” above?

Guest

2011/04/22 – 8:01pm

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions! To clarify, I was looking for a word to describe the state of being a novice, not a synonym for novice. “n00biety?” I’m satisfied with “inexperience,” but feel free to add more.

Jeff

Guest

2011/04/23 – 10:23am

Ha! I think I’m going to have to start using “n00biety”. I’ll let you know how that works out.

Guest

2011/04/24 – 1:35am

Tyrocity?

Guest

2012/01/29 – 12:40pm

“Novicity” is what occurred to me, but there must be on old one you can use without coining a new one. “Amateurishness”? Personally I have nothing against “ignorance”, especially when applying it to myself (it could, as you say, have a negative effect if you try using it for others).

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