BOOK-LEARNING, n. The dunce's derisive term for all knowledge that transcends his own impenitent ignorance.
2010 Update: Education by quotation, citation and the dissemination of qualification. Controversy over the comparative efficacy of book-learning as compared to common sense (tutelage by TV and trauma) divides the Populist and Elitist branches of The Fools.
Many was the time that Grandmother Duffy used this saying as a threat to my time spent with my head in a book.
ReplyDeleteGlad to have discovered this site, thanks to those Weirsdo types, as I hadn't heard of Ambrose Bierce before so I have quite some reading to catch up on. Also, enjoyed seeing for the second time the said gents visage!
Good morning, gents.
ReplyDeleteThe Fools are a Massachusetts rock band, best known for the hit song "Life Sucks... Then You Die."
In 1979 the The Fools released "Psycho Chicken", a parody of The Talking Heads' "Psycho Killer", and it was an immediate hit on Boston radio stations.
(So sayeth The Great Wikipedia)
"Life Sucks... Then You Die." LOL!!!! Good one.
ReplyDeleteSounds like the majority of the Global population
ReplyDeleteBook-learning: a half-step forward from Skinner's learning, which was generally based on electric shocks and drool.
ReplyDeleteBook-Learning: Something that seems to be a dying art
ReplyDeleteBook-learning is a myth! If you fall asleep with your head in the law textbook in high school, you learn NOTHING!
ReplyDeleteWhat a gyp.
Well that your much older law teacher has wicked aim when he throws his own book at said sleeper.
True story. Saw it happen. I stopped nodding off in class. (Please note he didn't throw the book at me. Why would he do that? I was too short. He missed.)
I am not a "by-the-book" or "buy-the-book" teacher. Roll up your sleeves and plan to do some work for your grade.
ReplyDeleteSave a tree; shoot a writer.
ReplyDeleteOh for Pete's sake, T&I. It's just a blog. We are all blog commenters and blog-commenting trolls.
ReplyDeleteMost people are better off with a good measure of each but will be quick to show disdain for the one they lack the more.
ReplyDelete..
Book Learning...for Squares.
ReplyDeleteI've heard that a good education can be had from "Law and Order". I've never watched it but am tempted.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've ever really heard the term book-learning.
Hey Coop ~ Long time, no see.
ReplyDeleteYou'll be pleased to know that "Law and Order" can be seen in syndication on almost a 24-hour basis.
Have a sit, lass.
Can I get you a round of warm ale? Perhaps a delightful glass of red wine ... a chilled Liebfraulmich?
C.J., glad you found your way over. I think you'll enjoy Brer Bierce. You seem to have a similar sense of humor.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Karen. I had no idea what all you and Wikipedia know.
See, Ariel? There's some perspective.
Nearly a consensus, Nicole.
Hey, Al. Are you sure the step's forward?
Actonbell, that's pure prophesy from Stein.
True, Thom. Soon there will be nobody left but those who just know everything.
Jenn, you found a way to make books more enlivening, didn't you?
Yes'm, Quilly.
Excellent advice, Icy.
Karen, you never know. Maybe there's a writer in the tree or something.
Ha, Bear. I think that's contract-learning.
That's been my experience, too, Jim.
Absolutely, Square-girl. Saludos.
Cooper, it's hard to find in a book.
Karen, you're quite the host.
How does e-book learning fit in?
ReplyDelete'Twas a very commen term in my childhood.
ReplyDeleteJust read the comments. That Tom. Very good!
ReplyDelete"commen" you can see what books did for me. NOT MUCH.
ReplyDeleteSurprise surprise, I'll take definition A over definition B, please.
ReplyDelete