Ultracrepidarian
/ˌʌl.trəˌkrɛp.ɪˈdɛə.ri.ən/noun
A person who gives opinions on subjects beyond their knowledge or expertise.
Did you know?The word traces to a story recorded by Pliny: when a shoemaker criticized the painted sandal of Apelles, the artist accepted the correction—until the cobbler judged the leg, prompting the warning not to go beyond the sandal.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
κρηπίς (krēpís)
“A sandal or shoe, especially a sturdy one.”
Classical Latin
Latin
crepida
“A sandal, borrowed from Greek.”
1st Century CE
Latin
ne sutor ultra crepidam
““Let not the shoemaker go beyond the sandal,” a warning against judging matters outside one’s expertise.”
18th Century
English
ultracrepidarian
“An adjective for someone offering opinions beyond their knowledge; formed from the Latin phrase ultra crepidam.”
19th Century
English
ultracrepidarian
“A noun for such a person, and an adjective describing their overconfident commentary.”