paper cert
n.— «He bragged that his pupils are definitely not what he called “paper certs,” an expression meaning book-smart but lacking in practical experience.» —“At MBIT, a proud tradition lives on” by Joan Schultz Doylestown Patriot (Pa.) Sept. 29, 2005. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
What kind of book do people ask for most often in prison? Romance novels? No. The Bible? No. The most requested books by far are … dictionaries! A number of volunteer organizations gather and distribute used dictionaries to help inmates with...
Twice a day the River Thames recedes, revealing a muddy shoreline. Hobbyists known as mudlarks stroll the surface searching for objects that have found their way into the river over the centuries, everything from ancient Roman jewelry to modern...