What do you call somebody who thinks they know everything?

Maybe by your own personal definition, but not by any stretch of a formal one.

I'd start linking definitions to be ironic, but....

What about prig?

 

This doesn't say Know-it-all to you ?
Dictionary,com
ped·ant
 
–noun
1.
a person who makes an excessive or inappropriate display of learning.
2.
a person who overemphasizes rules or minor details.
3.
a person who adheres rigidly to book knowledge without regard to common sense.
4.
Obsolete . a schoolmaster.

Or from the OED

a person who is excessively concerned with minor details and rules or with displaying academic learning.

 

Particularly given that the forum hasn't come up with anything particularly satisfactory, have you considered showing rather than telling? You don't need the word; you would almost certainly be better off without it.

 

Oh yeah, well from google:

neener neener.

I don't personally think the common uses of the word is indicating what the OP is asking. People who are arrogant and trying to show others up can also be pedantic, but being pedantic (while perhaps annoying) doesn't always lead to being arrogant and trying to show others up. In fact, very often pedantic people don't do this at all, as they're too busy obsessing over some small detail to make the generalized 'oh yeah, I'll show you' sort of assertions that I think the OP is talking about people making.

Though, definitions change, and increasingly as people learn the world 'pedant' they change it's definition. Here's a typical sort of exchange, often online or with freshmen, imo misusing but at the same time changing the definition of the word:

Person 1: Well, I heard that -insert generalized fact that isn't really true, though not blatantly wrong either because it's so generalized-
Person 2: I think that might actually be called -insert technical term- and the effect is -insert information that doesn't follow Person 1's assertion-
Person 1 (rudely): Omigod, you're like Sooooo totally pedantic!

But again, using/focusing on details can be pedantic, and indeed negative in it's own way, but doesn't always lead to the 'oh yeah, well I heard' sort of one-upsmanship that the OP seems to be talking about.

But, anyway, this is all very ironic and boorish.

 

Is that ironic as in the new meaning coined by Alanis Morrisette ? Because failing to see the dry amusing twist.

Being a pedant and being pedantic are not automatically used in the same manner. I'll stick with the Oxford English Dictionary and being English that is the way the word has been used amongst the people I know - pedant is a know-it-all usually with a degree.

 

Pedant is just a terrible choice here. Just terrible!
Prig, of course, is so much nearer the mark.

 

One of the many already existing meanings used by Alanis Morrisette, of which a particular comic was unaware because he couldn't cope with one word having multiple meanings.

"Pedant" suggests that it's all about irrelevant detail. A know-it-all can be a know-it-all about important stuff. The barrack-room lawyer is a know-it-all but not necessarily a pedant.

 

So, irony = 'dry amusing twist'? I'd like to see an official definition on that, please, before I'm willing to discuss anything by Alanis Morrisette.

I didn't realize your dictionary.com definition was actually from the Oxford English Dictionary, apologies.

 

I agree that "pedant" is a terrible choice, but I think "prig" is just as bad. A prig is a stuck-up moralist. The prig doesn't necessarily know anything except that whatever you are doing is wrong.

 

Forgive me. I was being sarcastic.
Pedant is, arguably, within the same ballpark.
Prig, as you indicate, doesn't work at all.

 

I included both dictionary.com and the OED. Silly human I am went to a dictionary for the definition instead of google.

–adjective
1.
containing or exemplifying irony: an ironic novel; an ironic remark.
2.
ironical.
3.
coincidental; unexpected: It was ironic that I was seated next to my ex-husband at the dinner.

Now the OED (resisting a racist comment):
happening in a way contrary to what is expected, and typically causing wry amusement because of this:

Irony being :
irony1

…the expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect…

*

You need to be logged in
to save entries.
irony2

…of or like iron…

You also misused boorish.

 

lol it isn't great but works as an alternative for know-it-all

 

It's fun having discussions with you, because I can never tell if you're joking. You crack me up though, so thanks

And no, I don't believe the best way to define a word is to go to the dictionary, unless the only people you ever interact with are books. I know, coincidental that I think that, right? Isn't that ironic, dontcha think?

Also, I fail to see how it's ironic to be seated next to your ex at dinner, unless it's at your wedding.

 

i vote for 'pompous fathead'!

 

I think pretentious would be my best bet honestly.. I'm not familiar with words like Pedantic and what not.. Never heard of them but thanks for the suggestions. Although can somebody give me a straightforward example of being Pretentious?

 

You know, posting stuff like this as a response to four pages of people trying to help you is really bad forum etiquette.

I'd second Taylee91's suggestion about how maybe "troll" is the word you're looking for.

 

Pretentious doesn't mean someone who think they know it all though. Pretentious is more someone who is trying to impress rather than someone who sincerely believes they know it all. Pretentious can pertain to anything learning, housekeeping, even affection.

Hyacinth Bucket was pretentious in her attempts to impress her neighbours.

Tommy Tucker gave a pretentious speech about arctic foxes. Despite his claims it was clear by the end he had never been North of Birminghan, and the only foxes he had ever seen were of the home grown variety.

 

Not really "dry amusing twist", but something that gives the impression that the gods are toying with us. A striking mismatch between reasonable desire and harsh reality. There are many sorts of irony; that one is called "cosmic irony".

 

Have I just missed it, or have the words "smart-ass" and "snotty-nosed" (perhaps not quite fitting) not come up yet?

 

"Smart-ass" is probably the best suggestion so far, assuming the required tone is informal. I don't think "snotty-nosed" fits at all.

 

I tried smartie-pants back on page two ... swat and scoob were also in there getting the impression OP doesn't want regular language.

 

Should that have been "swot"?

 

probably lol I tend not to write slang Just speak it.

 

Thanks for clearing up pretentious Elgaisma.

Somebody gave me a list of words that mean 'know-it-all'.

Arrogant
Conceited
Egotistic
Egotistical
Scornful
Vain
Contemptuous
Disdainful
Smug

Do any of these work?

 

Is that a joke? I'm pretty sure nearly all of those have been suggested right here. Did you read what we all took the time to tell you?

I don't know anything about you, but have you ever heard the expression "If you care enough to ask the question, shut up long enough to hear the answer."? Just wondering.