know nothing

Thân thiện

A student feels like a know nothing on the first day of class.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • An ignorant person: A person who lacks knowledge, information, or awareness about a particular subject or in general. The term often implies a willful or stubborn lack of knowledge.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • He dismissed his critics as a bunch of know nothings who hadn't read the research.
  • In the debate, she felt like a know nothing compared to the experts on the panel.

Advanced Usage

• Historical Context (Know-Nothing Party): In U.S. history, "Know-Nothing" was the common name for the American Party, a prominent political movement in the 1850s characterized by anti-immigrant and anti-Catholic sentiment. Members were called "Know-Nothings" because, when asked about the secretive activities of their organizations, they were supposed to reply, "I know nothing."
  • The Know-Nothing movement gained significant political power for a brief period before the Civil War.

Variants and Related Words

• Ignoramus (noun): A person who is ignorant or stupid.
  • He's a complete ignoramus when it comes to modern art.
• Philistine (noun): A person who is hostile or indifferent to culture and the arts.
  • He was called a philistine for his dislike of classical music.

Synonyms

• Ignoramus
• Dunce
• Simpleton
• Novice (less pejorative, implies inexperience rather than willful ignorance)

Related Idioms

• To be in the dark: To be unaware or uninformed about something.
  • I'm completely in the dark about the company's new plans.
• To not have a clue: To know nothing at all about a situation or subject.
  • When it comes to fixing cars, I don't have a clue.

Học thuật

Noun

1. an ignorant person

Từ đồng nghĩa

• ignoramus
• uneducated person