17 Habits Of People Who Have Average Intelligence But Try To Seem Really Smart
Envato Elements You know those people who constantly try to prove how brilliant they are, even though their actual intelligence is pretty average?
They’re the ones who use big words unnecessarily, talk over everyone else, and act like they’re the ultimate authority on every topic. Frankly, they’re obnoxious. These pseudo-intellectuals are more concerned with appearing smart than actually being smart. If you’re guilty of these 17 habits, it’s time for a reality check — you’re not fooling anyone, and it’s just making you look insecure.
1. Using obscure words when simple ones will do
People who are trying too hard to seem intelligent often pepper their speech with SAT words, even when a basic term would suffice. They think using “utilise” instead of “use” or “elucidate” instead of “explain” makes them sound smarter. In reality, it just makes them sound like they’re trying to impress people with their vocabulary rather than communicate clearly. Truly smart people know how to convey complex ideas in accessible language. Put down the thesaurus and focus on substance over style.
2. Name-dropping philosophers and theorists without context
You’ll often hear these types casually referencing Nietzsche or Foucault in conversation, even when it’s not really relevant. They think dropping these names will make them seem well-read and profound. But if you press them to explain the philosopher’s ideas in depth, they often can’t give more than a superficial summary. It’s like they’ve skimmed the Wikipedia page just to be able to say they’re familiar with the work. Genuine intelligence is about engaging with concepts, not collecting famous names like merit badges.
3. Always playing devil’s advocate
In an attempt to seem like deep, critical thinkers, these people will constantly take the contrarian position in any discussion. No matter the issue, they’ll chime in with “well, to play devil’s advocate…” and then proceed to argue against the consensus view. They think this makes them seem thoughtful and nuanced. In reality, it just makes them seem like they’re more interested in being provocative than actually contributing to the discourse. Smart people know when to pick their battles and when to read the room.
4. Correcting people’s grammar and pronunciation
You know that person who can’t resist pointing out every little grammatical slip or mispronunciation in casual conversation? They think they’re showcasing their linguistic prowess, but they’re really just being pedantic and annoying. In most contexts, as long as the meaning is clear, there’s no need to be the grammar police. Truly intelligent people are more focused on the substance of what’s being said rather than nitpicking the delivery. Save the red pen for your own writing, and let people speak without constant correction.
5. Claiming to have a “photographic memory”
These pseudo-intellectuals love to brag about their alleged photographic memory, as if it’s proof of their superior intellect. They’ll often make a big show of reciting some piece of trivia verbatim, and then humblebrag about how they can’t help but remember everything they read. In reality, true photographic memory is extremely rare, and most people who claim to have it are just exaggerating their recall abilities. Smart people don’t need to constantly advertise their memory skills — they let their knowledge speak for itself.
6. Constantly referencing their high IQ score
For these people, their IQ score is like a badge of honour they feel compelled to mention at every opportunity. They’ll find ways to work it into conversation, as if it’s the ultimate proof of their intelligence. The thing is, IQ tests are not a comprehensive measure of intelligence, and many experts question their validity. Truly smart people recognise that intelligence is multi-faceted and can’t be reduced to a single number. They’re more focused on demonstrating their smarts through their ideas and accomplishments than bragging about a test score.
7. Dismissing popular books, movies, and music as lowbrow
In an attempt to seem like they have refined, highbrow taste, these people will often scoff at anything that’s widely popular, dismissing it as pedestrian or unsophisticated. They’ll brag about only reading obscure literary novels, watching art house films, and listening to experimental jazz. But true intelligence isn’t about being a cultural snob — it’s about being open-minded and finding value in a wide range of art and media. Smart people can appreciate both the highbrow and the lowbrow without being pretentious about it.
8. Using a lot of technical jargon even when talking to laypeople
Some people think that peppering their speech with a bunch of arcane terminology makes them seem like an expert. But if they’re not tailoring their language to their audience, it just makes them seem out of touch and bad at communicating. When talking to people outside their field, smart people know how to explain complex concepts in plain language. They don’t hide behind jargon to mask their own insecurities or exclude people from the conversation. Clarity is the mark of true intelligence.
9. Always framing things in terms of grand theories
These people can’t just have a simple discussion about a film or a news story — they always have to tie it back to some grand philosophical or sociological theory. They think constantly alluding to Marx or Derrida makes them seem intellectually sophisticated. But not every conversation needs to be a treatise on late capitalism or post-structuralism. Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. Smart people know how to engage in both high-level analysis and casual conversation without being pretentious.
10. Constantly humblebragging about their accomplishments
You know those people who always find a way to casually mention their advanced degree, their prestigious award, or the time they met some famous intellectual? They think they’re impressing people with their achievements, but it just comes across as insecure posturing. Truly intelligent, accomplished people don’t need to constantly remind every one of their credentials. They let their ideas and work speak for themselves, and they’re more interested in encouraging people than basking in their own glory.
11. Interrupting and talking over people in discussions
These self-proclaimed geniuses often think their insights are so brilliant, they simply can’t wait their turn to share them. They’ll constantly interject and stomp all over other people in conversations, as if their perspective is the only one that matters. But intelligence isn’t just about what you know — it’s about being able to listen and learn from other people. Smart people understand the value of holding space for other viewpoints and collaborating to reach new insights. They don’t just use discussions as a platform for their own pontification.
12. Claiming expertise in a field they’ve only dabbled in
You’ve probably met someone who took one psychology class in uni and now thinks they can diagnose everyone’s mental health issues. Or the person who read a few popular science articles and now speaks with authority on quantum mechanics. These people think their surface-level knowledge of a topic makes them an expert. But true expertise comes from deep, sustained engagement with a field, not just a cursory overview. Smart people are honest about the limits of their knowledge and defer to those with more experience when appropriate.
13. Using a lot of filler words like “essentially” and “basically”
These words are often used as a way to sound more authoritative and profound, as if the speaker is breaking down complex concepts for the layperson. But more often than not, they’re just verbal crutches used to pad out flimsy arguments. If you find yourself using these words constantly, ask yourself — am I actually adding clarity, or just trying to sound smarter? Truly intelligent speech is concise and purposeful, not cluttered with filler phrases.
14. Treating every conversation like a competitive debate
For some people, every discussion is an opportunity to score intellectual points and prove their mental superiority. They approach conversations like verbal sparring matches, more focused on tearing down the other person’s arguments than reaching a mutual understanding. But intelligence isn’t about winning at all costs — it’s about engaging in good faith, considering different viewpoints, and sometimes just agreeing to disagree. Smart people don’t treat every interaction as a contest to be won.
15. Bringing up their Mensa membership at every opportunity
We get it, you’re in the top 2% of IQ scores. But constantly mentioning your Mensa membership as a way to establish your intellectual credibility just makes you seem insecure. It’s like you need that external validation to prove your smarts. Truly intelligent people let their ideas and achievements speak for themselves — they don’t rely on exclusive clubs to signal their brilliance. And they recognise that IQ is just one narrow measure of intelligence, not the be-all and end-all.
16. Dismissing entire fields of study as “soft sciences” or “pseudoscience”
In an attempt to seem like rigorous, logical thinkers, these people will often write off entire academic disciplines like psychology, sociology, or anthropology as “soft sciences” that lack the precision and certainty of fields like physics or maths. But this dismissive attitude just reveals their own ignorance and intellectual insecurity. Smart people recognise that all fields of study have value and that true wisdom comes from taking an interdisciplinary approach, not just privileging STEM fields above all else.
17. Having a condescending attitude towards those with less formal education
These self-styled intellectuals often look down their noses at people who don’t have advanced degrees or who work in blue-collar jobs, as if formal education is the only measure of intelligence. They’ll make snide comments about the “unsophisticated masses” and act like their academic credentials make them superior. But true intelligence recognises that wisdom and insight can come from many sources, not just the ivory tower. Smart people treat everyone with respect, regardless of their educational background, and are always open to learning from those with different life experiences.
