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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Do you know the meaning of this word?

95 replies

MrTiddlesTheCat · 10/10/2023 17:04

Help me settle a very minor disagreement. Do you know the meaning of the word below without looking it up?

Syncretism

YABU - yes I know
YANBU - nope, not a scooby

OP posts:
Circularargument · 10/10/2023 17:04

Yes

Humidititties · 10/10/2023 17:06

nope

ComtesseDeSpair · 10/10/2023 17:07

Yes, but only because it came up in my degree years ago. I wouldn’t assume it common parlance.

TheLancelotoftherevolutionaryset · 10/10/2023 17:07

I know it, but it’s not a common word and kind of pejorative so I’m very curious about the context.

DisforDarkChocolate · 10/10/2023 17:08

No but I figured it out. It's a word that assumes knowledge which is not a good idea in lots of situations.

itsmyp4rty · 10/10/2023 17:09

I looked it up and I still don't know what it means.

Mumof2teens79 · 10/10/2023 17:10

No, I thought I could guess but I wasn't close
In context I could probably work it out

Original poster
MrTiddlesTheCat · 10/10/2023 17:15

TheLancelotoftherevolutionaryset · 10/10/2023 17:07

I know it, but it’s not a common word and kind of pejorative so I’m very curious about the context.

Context is in an adult school, an American teaching Swedes English by discussing halloween. I think he has a habit of using obscure, grandiose words that are unhelpful for the class, who are trying to fill the gaps in their basic education. But I was wondering if I think that because I'm just a bit thick.

OP posts:
QuestionableMouse · 10/10/2023 17:15

Yes, but I have two English degrees.

lifeofsty · 10/10/2023 17:15

Never heard of it!

PhotoDad · 10/10/2023 17:17

Yes, but I teach a subject which uses it!

INeedAnotherName · 10/10/2023 17:18

No. Never even heard of it.

towriteyoumustlive · 10/10/2023 17:18

I've heard the word but voted YANBU as I wasn't entirely sure what it meant. Something to do with merging ideas together possibly???

I read a lot so I probably came across it in a book.

TheGoogleMum · 10/10/2023 17:19

Never heard it, I'm educated with a MSc and a native English speaker

Alltheyearround · 10/10/2023 17:20

I could have a guess. I think you are right about the verbosity though.

newrubylane · 10/10/2023 17:20

No, and I worked in publishing in a genre where I could feasibly have encountered it (but obviously haven't).

Octavia64 · 10/10/2023 17:20

Yes but it's a pretty obscure word.

EBearhug · 10/10/2023 17:21

No, don't think I've come across it before, and I have an above-average vocabulary. Given I've got through 2 and a bit degrees, various other qualifications and have experience of working in different industries, I'd argue it's not necessary for every day basic vocabulary.

UseOfWeapons · 10/10/2023 17:21

yes

CesareBorgia · 10/10/2023 17:21

No

RosesAndHellebores · 10/10/2023 17:22

Nope. Post graduate educated. Never heard it.

JennieTheZebra · 10/10/2023 17:22

Yes, but I have both a BA and MA in philosophy and a professional interest in mindfulness/medication/contemplative prayer. Honestly it's not a common word, especially for ESOL speakers.

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 10/10/2023 17:22

Does he think Easter is ‘essentially pagan’ as well, by any chance? 🤡

Wavescrashingonthebeach · 10/10/2023 17:22

I didn't know it and I pride myself on being a walking thesaurus. It's certainly not common vocab to be including in a language class!

BogRollBOGOF · 10/10/2023 17:24

I know now I've looked it up. I didn't know it before though.

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