Crepidarian
/ˌkrɛpɪˈdɛəriən/noun
A person who offers opinions beyond their area of knowledge or expertise.
Did you know?The word ultimately invokes a story told by Pliny the Elder in which the painter Apelles accepted a shoemaker’s criticism of a sandal—until the shoemaker began judging the rest of the painting.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
κρηπίς (krēpís)
“A sandal, shoe, or supporting base.”
1st Century BCE–1st Century CE
Latin
crepida
“A sandal, especially the type associated with Greek dress.”
1st Century CE
Latin
ne sutor ultra crepidam
““Let not the shoemaker go beyond the sandal,” a warning against judging beyond one’s expertise.”
19th Century
English
crepidarian
“Formed from the Latin sandal word and the shoemaker proverb; relating to opinions beyond a person’s proper field.”
Modern English
English
crepidarian
“A person who gives opinions outside their competence.”