Do you know the meaning of this word?

[MrTiddlesTheCat]

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

I know it too and am wondering why you say it's pejorative?

OP if you’re not a native English speaker you are not at all unreasonable not to know it. If the class is degree level English then maybe it’s a reasonable word to introduce but otherwise I think you’re right that he’s showing off.

You could get one up and respond ‘I think a straightforward understanding of Halloween in a WASP-y North American context is not a good example of syncretism. Dia des los muertos or any example of Latin American Catholicism would be a much more enlightening choice.’

I know it, but I teach and study subjects where it’s used. I would say that your assessment of its usage on this occasion is correct.

It can just be descriptive but in a theological context it often comes with a side helping of ‘and that’s not real religion anyway.’ People who see the mixing as a positive are more likely to use the term ‘inculturation’ in my experience.

I have three degrees and adore words. I only learned this one recently whilst helping DD with her A Level in religious studies and ethics. It is absolutely not in common use.

That's just it though, I am a native speaker with a law degree and I still didn't have a scooby. My poor classmates are constantly looking to me to translate from Twattish to actual English.

Yes, but I have an M.A in Sociology. Doubt I'd have a clue without that.

Please, please raise this. It has the power to do untold damage to people's confidence, desire to carry on learning and the reputation of the provider.

One person's desire to sound verbose does not trump other people's right to comfort and education.

No and I'm a native English speaker with an English degree from an excellent university and good general knowledge.

I think this dude thinks he's a lot cleverer than he is and likes to show off. If he were actually clever he would realise it's completely pointless to try to teach people learning a second language a word like that that they'll likely never get to use again. (Maybe he's trolling them? Trick or treat!)

It's always possible to find a more complex word to use - the true difficulty IMO is in finding ways to explain complex things simply.

I had to think for a moment and then realised I know what ‘syncretic’ means in terms of religion, so yes, I know what it means.

If he really thinks that word is everyday English then he is a total bellend. Maybe check he knows what bellend means.

Had absolutely no idea until I just googled - after reading it in context I realise I've heard/seen the word before, but never 'soaked it in', so to speak.
He's a tosspot.

No, never heard of it before. But I did manage work out the meaning. Definitely not a commonly used word, or one I’d expect lots of people to know.

It looks vaguely familiar but I wouldn't know what it meant without looking it up.

Nope, PhD in science ... but after looking it up, it's unlikely to be something to cross my radar and stick as I'm agnostic

😂

Now THAT would come in far handier for the students.

No.

I have an English Lit degree from Cambridge and I used to teach English as a Foreign Language. I'm also a published author.

I don't usually like to blow my own trumpet, but... my knowledge of English is actually fantastic. I have a huge vocabulary.

Didn't have a clue what this word meant.

Your colleague is a pretentious knob who is trashing his students' confidence in order to boost his own ego.

Yanbu. I've heard the term before but had forgotten what it meant.
Im a British phd chemist so I know oodles of long words which I use in a professional context but wouldn't use them in the situation you describe.
DH (another chemist) watch all sorts of things on Wondrium including philosophy and religious topics. Good lecturers don't necessarily use over complicated language and if they do need to use a niche term they explain it.

This is not the sort of word that any speaker of English as a foreign language needs to know.

Yes and no.

I know the linguistics meaning, so I'd have been very confused in your class.

Its definitely not a common word.

Nope
I faintly recognised it as a word but wouldn't have been able to define it. I have a PhD in a science topic so I'm well educated but not in that area.
I don't think using over complicated language in a teaching setting is particularly helpful

Maybe you should see if he knows the word "lexiphanicism"

No, but I do know that I've looked it up

I do. But I have an interest in new world religious syncretism (everyone’s gotta have a hobby right…?)

I would never EVER belittle someone for not knowing it (or in fact any word) - especially not in an educational context. This teacher sounds like a total f*ing prat. I can’t stand it when egotistical losers get their kicks with pseudo intellectual one-up-man-ship like that.

No, I have a pretty good vocabulary and I've never seen the word therefore is be staggered if anyone thinks it's a word that needs to be learnt