17

I'm trying to find either a word or a phrase that describes a person who knows the answer to a problem or problems but is never believed, even though the person is actually correct.

The nearest I can come up with is maybe the story of Cassandra, but that is about knowing the future but never being believed.

The word or a phrase may indicate they are simply ignored, but I am more interested in answers indicating the person suffers negative consequences such as being ridiculed or even persecuted for their correct solution. Maybe think of people such as Galileo

I stumbled across this excellent visualisation of people whose ideas were rejected and were treated as pariahs for them but were later proven to be correct. These are exactly the kind of people I am looking for words or phrases to describe.

Improve this question
3
  • 1
    Also possibly relevant is the phrase "a prophet without honor"—the reference being to Jesus's observation in Mark 6 that often a prophet is without honor [that is, is not honored] in his own land, despite his being a prophet.
    – Sven Yargs
    Commented May 19, 2016 at 23:18
  • 1
    May I suggest "Like a scientist at a GOP-convention"?
    – Baard Kopperud
    Commented May 20, 2016 at 0:12
  • We need more context. The person could be "ineffectual" or "ahead of her time" or "inarticulate" or something else. Please clarify. Also, you should write a sentence into which the word will be inserted.
    – ab2
    Commented May 21, 2016 at 19:50

9 Answers 9

Reset to default
22

I would argue that Cassandra does work here: the name is often used metaphorically, in a variety of fields. For example,

achieving a clear, shared vision in an organization is often difficult due to a lack of commitment to the new vision by some individuals in the organization, because it does not match reality as they see it. Those who support the new vision are termed ‘Cassandras’ – able to see what is going to happen, but not believed.

(same Wikipedia source linked above)

While Cassandra does have connotations of having to do with the future, any solution to a present problem is, by definition, a future thing. Someone who posits a solution is predicting that their solution will solve the problem. And failure to agree with a solution (that, we stipulate, would turn out to solve the problem) is most likely due to a failure of perception: either the perception that the person offering the solution isn’t worth listening to, or that the problem and/or its solution would work out differently than they will.

Improve this answer
6
  • 3
    Except that Cassandra is usually negative- always predicting a bad future. Not 100% applicable to the question
    – Sebastian Zeki
    Commented May 19, 2016 at 15:53
  • @SebastianZeki In the myth, maybe (though the curse does say every prediction and the myth doesn't recount every prophecy she ever offered). But not as it's used metaphorically, as my quote shows.
    – KRyan
    Commented May 19, 2016 at 16:32
  • 1
    Sure but the metaphor is based on the myth so the metaphorical association would be a negative prediction no? Can you provide an example of where this is used non-negatively (or even positively)
    – Sebastian Zeki
    Commented May 19, 2016 at 16:34
  • @Sebastian Zeki There is literally a positive association quoted in my answer. Having a vision for the future of a company is a good thing.
    – KRyan
    Commented May 19, 2016 at 16:35
  • 1
    @SebastianZeki: in my experience, KRyan is correct: metaphoric use of Cassandra applies equally to positive predictions and negative predictions. It connotes disbelief of the truth, regardless of whether it's a good truth or a bad truth.
    – Marthaª
    Commented May 19, 2016 at 19:10
14

Not strictly a description of the person, but...

Falling on deaf ears

if a request or advice falls on deaf ears, people ignore it.

Warnings that sunbathing can lead to skin cancer have largely fallen on deaf ears in Britain.

Link

Improve this answer
13

Consider 'a voice in the wilderness' Different sources give slightly different nuance, Meaning: You're a voice in the wilderness, or a voice crying in the wilderness, if you're expressing an unpopular opinion or insight.

Meaning: You're a voice in the wilderness, or a voice crying in the wilderness, if you're expressing an unpopular opinion or insight.

For example:

When Galileo stated that the sun was the centre of the solar system, he was a voice crying in the wilderness. Most people thought he was crazy or evil, or possibly both.

Improve this answer
2
  • 1
    +1 Great. Please quote the relevant definition and provide an example sentence, if possible.
    – NVZ ♦
    Commented May 19, 2016 at 12:48
  • It also often takes the structure "his/hers was a voice in the wilderness."
    – pyobum
    Commented Aug 18, 2016 at 1:39
3

Also, 'Pearls before Swine', which means to show valuable things to people who disregard them.

It's pretty negative, but it's usually used in a light hearted way. In a pub quiz, you might suggest an answer and have it dismissed. You would say 'Pearls before Swine', implying that you words are pearls, and the people you are playing with are too obtuse to see it.

Improve this answer
2

Diamond in the rough or rough diamond — TFD

someone or something whose good qualities are hidden.

"This film is one of those diamonds in the rough, a wonderful gem that almost no one has noticed."

It may be applied to people too.

Ahead of one's time — TFD

Fig. having ideas or attitudes that are too advanced to be acceptable in the present. (*Typically: be ~; think ~.)

"Sue's grandmother was ahead of her time in wanting to study medicine."

One great example would be Nikola Tesla. Here's why: "Why was Nikola Tesla the greatest geek who ever lived" by Oatmeal. Here's a Quora discussion on "Who was most ahead of their time?"

Single words useful here are:

Underestimated — M-W

to think of (someone or something) as being lower in ability, influence, or value than that person or thing actually is

synonyms: underrate, undervalue, sell short

Or, perhaps visionary — M-W

having or showing clear ideas about what should happen or be done in the future

"She is known as a visionary leader."

But this doesn't necessarily mean that their people didn't believe in them.

Improve this answer
0
2

I cannot think of a colloquialism or literary phrase, but I can think of a few descriptions: Her correct answer did not satiate their hungry ears. He poured his solution into the discussion where it quietly drained, as if through a sieve, unnoticed and leaving no trace.

Her illuminating solution was snuffed out

in the bluster of hot air from the crowd

by the snorts of their derision

by the winds of dissent

His helpful response was met with stolid bovine indifference.

Improve this answer
1
  • 2
    Just thought of another. She is the only fish to notice the water.
    – Greg
    Commented May 19, 2016 at 20:08
2

An unrecognised genius if s/he's truly gifted, or maybe you can swap some weaker term for genius, such as expert.

Skilful yet unrecognised could also serve as an epithet.

Improve this answer
2

Although it doesn't describe the person, the phrase "casting pearls before swine" might apply to the situation. It's originally from the Bible (Matthew 7:6: "Do not give dogs what is holy; do not throw your pearls before swine. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.").

From the Cambridge dictionary:

cast pearls before swine - to offer something valuable or good to someone who does not know its value.

I'm afraid you're casting pearls before swine with your good advice - he won't listen.

Improve this answer
1

Heresy: opinion profoundly at odds with what is generally accepted.

Heretic: a person holding an opinion at odds with what is generally accepted.

Improve this answer

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .