A.Word.A.Day--ultracrepidarian

[Dave Monroe]

ultracrepidarian

PRONUNCIATION:
(uhl-truh-krep-i-DAYR-ee-uhn)

MEANING:
adjective: Giving opinions beyond one’s area of expertise.
noun: One who gives opinions beyond one’s area of expertise.

ETYMOLOGY:
>From Latin ultra (beyond) + crepidarius (shoemaker), from crepida
(sandal). Earliest documented use: 1819.

NOTES:
The story goes that in ancient Greece there was a renowned painter
named Apelles who used to display his paintings and hide behind them
to listen to the comments. Once a cobbler pointed out that the sole of
the shoe was not painted correctly. Apelles fixed it and encouraged by
this the cobbler began offering comments about other parts of the
painting. At this point the painter cut him off with “Ne sutor ultra
crepidam” meaning “Shoemaker, not above the sandal” or one should
stick to one’s area of expertise.

USAGE:
“The authors of Freakonomics ... could be accused of displaying
ultracrepidarian tendencies themselves, after eschewing the strictly
economic analyses of their earlier mega best-sellers to publish what
is more or less a self-help tome.”
Tim Walker; The Freak Show Goes On And On; The Independent (London,
UK); May 23, 2014.

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