Sometimes we consider someone smart and intelligent just because they can do something we can’t. Maybe they have a good memory and they don’t need to study as much for a test or they can play chess, but you can’t figure it out and think it must be because you’re not smart enough.

A person being able to do one thing that you can do doesn’t necessarily mean they are a genius. Actually, people on Reddit listed some of the signs that we consider indicators of intelligence but they don’t always mean that, and you realize it only after talking to the person a bit more.

Do you think there are other qualities that we consider to belong only to smart people? Do you agree with the ones that were listed in the Reddit thread? Let us know in the comments.

More info: Reddit

#1 Using Academic Jargon And Long-Winded Terminology

I’m a PhD student and the one that really irks me is using academic jargon and long-winded terminology. Just because you know a couple fancy words — that most do not know — doesn’t mean you’re intelligent. It is usually an indication of the opposite. “If you can’t explain it to a ten year old, you’re not that clever” is what I’ve told undergraduate classes before.

Image credits: mknbeans

#2 Confidence

f**k_korean_air said:

Confidence!

Sauerteig added:

Confidence/arrogance for sure. One incident I can give is someone years ago who confidently replied (yelled) to me he knew what confirmation bias/cognitive dissonance was in a disagreement.. asked him to explain them for the group, since they may not know.. he almost dissolved in embarrassment because he didn’t. Yes it was political.

Image credits: f**k_korean_air

#3 Education

Education. Just because you managed to get one is not a reflection of your innate intelligence

Image credits: BlockHeadJones

#4 Going To An Ivy League University

BubblesMagic18 said:

Going to an Ivy League.

Allmightydohllah

That just shows you’re connected. Now if you went to MIT, then it’s safe to say you’re smart. You have to be to get in.

Image credits: BubblesMagic18

#5 Having Money

Money. “I have it, you don’t. You should listen to me”

Image credits: Alfalfa4Idaho

#6 Good Memory

“good memory”

Often a sign with intelligent people but doesn’t guarantee inteligence …

Lots of kids just memorise and then write in exam and get good marks but they just can’t apply it in real life

Image credits: Ningerbreadman

#7 Knowing A Lot Of Facts

Knowing a lot of facts.

I have a friend who is knowledgeable about a lot of stuff (geography and history, for example, not just things we would think of as “trivia”) and has other markers of intelligence, like a big vocabulary and a career in the sciences. He’s worldly, handsome, and yes, wears glasses. Mutual acquaintances have comnented about how smart he is, usually citing his impressive storehouse of facts.

I know him better than they do, and he is dumb as a box of rocks. He has zero critical thinking skills. I marvel at his imperviousness to logic. He believes some of the weirdest s**t – even in the field of science. (Note that I discovered this long before covid-related idiocy came along. Fortunately he’s not an anti-vaxxer)

Image credits: Squidwina

#8 Being Old

Being old

Image credits: Ozydrax

#9 Speaking Fluent English In A 3rd World Country

From a 3rd world country here. Speaking fluent English increases your value 10 times more than usual

Image credits: AnIgnorablePerson

#10 Having A Youtube Channel

The simple fact that somebody has a YouTube channel, they are seen as an authority on a subject…

Image credits: DonJuanDingdong

#11 Being Good At Chess

Narfu187 said:

Being good at chess.

Frank_Woodford added:

Being good at chess is a sign of being good at chess. Most good chess players are not significantly more intelligent than average.

Image credits: Narfu187

#12 “According To Science”

Starting every online article with “according to science”. So much bs out there that isnt according to science at all but they use it to seem more factual than they really are.

Image credits: rilles94

#13 Debating Skills

Debating skills

Image credits: Moceannl

#14 Lack Of Empathy And/Or Hating People

Lack of empathy and/or hating people.

“Everyone is a bastard” does not deserve a Nobel Prize.

Image credits: Needydadthrowaway

#15 Criticism

Criticism. It’s easy but people use it to look smart.

Image credits: zapatocaviar

#16 School Grades

throwaway3132710 said:

School grades

No_Instance_1851 added:

They can be a reflection of intelligence, but they’re definitely more a sign of competence. Great, you do your homework and pay attention in class. Grade inflation has gotten ridiculous. My daughter has a couple of friends that have well over 4.0 GPAs and miraculously don’t even come close to breaking triple digits on their SATs (I know, I know, standardized tests are problematic in this realm, as well).

Image credits: throwaway3132710

#17 Wearing Glasses

Wearing glasses

Image credits: Odd_Adhesiveness4804

#18 British Accent

Professional-Salt-31 said:

British Accent.

Gibbonici:

Honestly, people need to get over our accents.

Of all the things they denote, intelligence is at the bottom of the list, if it’s on the list at all.

All they are to us are regional and social markers. That’s it.

Image credits: Professional-Salt-31

#19 Politeness

quite simply, politeness. A well spoken, silent, polite individual will almost always be perceived as somewhat intelligent even if he or she isn’t. A polite individual shows a good upbringing, perhaps a good education etc. Be polite!

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#20 Citing Reporting From Fox News

Citing reporting from FOX News

Image credits: HurricaneDitka1985

#21 Quietness

robb911 said:

Quietness.

SvenBubbleman added:

Some people are quiet because there is nothing going on inside.

Image credits: robb911

#22 Being Articulate

Being Articulate. Not all who speaks eloquently are smart.

Image credits: ThirdCultureFreak09

#23 A PhD

A PHD.

Too many people who have no clue about real-life also have a PHD.

Image credits: bulletmissile

#24 Being Able To Quote Random Greek Or Latin

Being able to quote random Greek or Latin…

Image credits: stuntedmonk

#25 Having A Disorder

The presence of a personality, social, or communication disorder or serious mental illness.

Image credits: FoldedaMillionTimes

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