English Language & Usage Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for linguists, etymologists, and serious English language enthusiasts. It only takes a minute to sign up.
Sign up to join this community
What is the word that is used to describe the oversimplification or non-academic discussion of a complex issue?
Typically, I'm looking for a word like pedantic, or puerile, except that the word covers the fact that the discussion is particularly non-academic. I know that such a word exists since I have used it before, but it has skipped my mind.
I propose "Wetherspoonian". e.g. Brexit makes perfect economic sense on a Wetherspooonian level.
With regard to the context you have provided, you might want to consider the word "facile" -
Facile
- (especially of a theory or argument) appearing neat and comprehensive only by ignoring the true complexities of an issue; superficial.
- Having or revealing a superficial or simplistic knowledge or approach: a facile and shallow intellect.
Depending on your desired connotation, you might consider:
: adj considering or presenting something in a simple way, especially a way that is too simple
The implication here is that the simplification is so great that key elements have been stripped away and what remains is no longer accurate.
From the definition of facile: "superficial" covers it pretty well.
2 a: concerned only with the obvious or apparent: SHALLOW
b: seen on the surface: EXTERNAL
c: presenting only an appearance without substance or significance
Perhaps you are looking for "in layman terms"
(idiomatic) Phrased simply, without jargon. — Wiktionary
is a phrase that immediately came to mind to me - though not one word per se.
I might use one of several adjective such as "vague", "informal", "casual", or "simplistic" to describe a discussion of superficial views, ideas, or concepts applied to a complex topic (depending on the specific occasion or intended emphasis).
His interpretation was outrageous. Our informal discussions, just casual discourses of the topic, became an arsenal of discrediting views with his added academic detail.
https://www.thefreedictionary.com/informal
https://www.thefreedictionary.com/simplistic
How about "rudimentary", as in "My father has a rudimentary understanding of computers".
Definition of rudimentary:
1 : consisting in first principles : fundamental - "had only a rudimentary formal education" — D. J. Boorstin
2 : of a primitive kind - "the equipment of these past empire-builders was rudimentary" — A. J. Toynbee
from Merriam Webster
Note that "elementary" could also fit.
Armchair, as in:
Armchair Philosophy
or
Armchair Climate Science
When I saw the title of the question, this seemed to fit perfectly. I also didn't see it posted anywhere here, so I'll mention it in case it is the word that you remember.
Personally, I'd go with 'in layman's terms' as suggested above but if you need a single word then exoteric might work, which means suitable for the general public and is the opposite of esoteric which means likely to only be understood by a small group of people with specialized knowledge
Unprofessional review?
Below or contrary to the standards expected in a particular profession.
Therefore you need to get in quick while they are offering a professional service for an unprofessional fee.
Examples -
"One of the main pitfalls is picking a development partner who is inexperienced and unprofessional."
"Complaints are mounting about the unprofessional job the contractors are doing."
A high level overview? If looking for a business term.
High-level means "general" or "big picture." [...] A "high-level overview" is one that doesn't cover details. It provides a very basic and general explanation or presentation of the material/subject.
