Is there a word for describing people who know many things but superficially?

Question

Is there an appropriate word for the antonym of "full-stack", as in programming? Someone who knows a lot of things just as a full-stack programmer, but without mastering them.

score 4 · Accepted Answer · answered Jul 26 '15 at 14:37

4

"jack of all trades" can refer to someone who knows how to do many different things but is not really a master at any of them.

answered Jul 26 '15 at 14:37

TimR

21,116

1

The full saying is exactly that: "A Jack of all trades, a master of none." – Channel Islander Jul 26 '15 at 14:48

ab2 · Answer 2 · 2017-07-05T19:52:53.360

4

Dilettante, defined by Dictionary.com

a person who takes up an art, activity, or subject merely for amusement, especially in a desultory or superficial way; dabbler"

edited Jul 05 '17 at 19:52

answered Jul 26 '15 at 16:27

ab2

26,253

Dilettantish makes a fine insult: http://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dilettantish – Wayfaring Stranger Jul 26 '15 at 18:33

score 1 · Answer 3 · answered Jul 26 '15 at 15:31

1

In sports you might refer to a utility player, in more general sense a factotum (from the Latin for "do it all").

answered Jul 26 '15 at 15:31

Jim Mack

11,882

score 1 · Answer 4 · answered Jul 26 '15 at 17:10

1

I think you want the word "generalist": "one whose skills, interests, or habits are varied or unspecialized", according to Merriam-Webster.

answered Jul 26 '15 at 17:10

carlac

51

score -2 · Answer 5 · edited May 18 '17 at 12:37

-2

Polymath

A person who posseses knowledge about diverse topics.

edited May 18 '17 at 12:37

Bhoomika Arora

2,066

answered May 18 '17 at 09:39

Pinakin

11

Welcome to English Language & Usage! Please [edit] to add citations to reliable sources that support the assertions made here. Unsourced material may be disputed or deleted. – NVZ May 18 '17 at 11:59

Is there a word for describing people who know many things but superficially?

5 Answers5

Linked

Related