20 - How to distinguish between people who pretend to be smart and people who actually are

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Ebbert:

As a university lecturer who regularly examines students, I can tell pretty quickly whether someone is just parroting something they have read, or has actually understood it.

Once you involve them in a conversation on the subject in question, and they come with metaphors (“... it’s almost a bit like...”), I know I can tick them off as someone who has “got it.”

People who don’t know what they are talking about usually keep it strictly straight. But someone who understands will get poetic about it. Beware though, if you are trying to feign understanding using this method: There is a fine line between blathering and making metaphorical allusions.

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Vocabulary:

To parrot = repeat, recite, ape, copy , copycat

subject in question = topic at hand, matter at hand

To keep it straight = To avoid confusing or mixing up something; to keep something clear or organized