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What is the appropriate name for a person who exhibits the behavior described below?

A person who speaks in a Confidently informed manner (about a technical process or procedure for example) however they are actually imparting incorrect information and are apparently oblivious of their actions.

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    The words you are looking for are oblivious and ignorant. Commented Jul 30, 2015 at 12:18
  • Why do you want a word for a person you disapprove of?
    – tchrist
    Commented Jul 30, 2015 at 12:20
  • @tchrist: I see no inherent contradiction in wanting such a word. Commented Jul 30, 2015 at 12:36
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    The normal kind -- it's rare to find someone aware of their ignorance -- such a person would be a sage.
    – Kris
    Commented Jul 30, 2015 at 13:11
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    (I think this question is a dupe.)
    – Hot Licks
    Commented Jul 30, 2015 at 17:39

2 Answers 2

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There is a phrase blissful ignorance that has been in use for centuries. Examples can be found following this ngram.

Oxford Dictionaries Online defines it as

Fortunate unawareness of something unpleasant.

As the definition indicates, its application is much broader than erroneous pontification, and the unpleasantness will be felt by the listeners, not the speaker.

Bloviate means

Talk at length, especially in an inflated or empty way.

Oxford Dictionaries Online

Again, this is broader, and may include talk that is hollow, but not necessarily erroneous.

Or you might coin your own phrase, such as master of misinformation.

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    According to this site, the romans used to say "dulcis ignorantia" which is in line with "blissful ignorance" and denotes the concept of compound ignorance. Commented Jul 30, 2015 at 15:02
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I personally like the term ignoramus.

a person who does not know much : an ignorant or stupid person

Also called

unknowledgeable, uneducated, or uninformed; a fool.

References:

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ignoramus https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/ignoramus

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  • This word doesn't account for the misplaced confidence aspect.
    – Kim Ryan
    Commented Jul 30, 2015 at 13:05
  • If you are very ignorant you do not know what you lack, unfortunately. Oxford: 'assume that your examiner is an ignoramus and explain everything to him'
    – Bookeater
    Commented Jul 30, 2015 at 13:06

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