idiot savant
1
9.9
- noun
- /ˈɪdiət səˈvænt/
- Slur
:
[OFENSIVO] término despectivo para una persona con discapacidad intelectual que muestra habilidades extraordinarias
- The film portrayed a character as an idiot savant who had an extraordinary ability to memorize entire books.
Examples
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So as I said before, he's a bit of an idiot savant, right?
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Despite his challenges in social situations, Thomas is an idiot savant when it comes to solving complex mathematical problems.
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Many autistic individuals are often labeled as idiot savants for their remarkable talents in areas like art or music.
Synonyms
26
8.9
A person with very great knowledge or skill in one subject
Surface Forms
Morphology
idiot + savant
The juxtaposition of 'idiot' (a derogatory term for someone perceived as very unintelligent) and 'savant' (a person with exceptional skill) gives a partial clue that the phrase refers to someone with remarkable ability despite low general ability. However, the precise clinical/pejorative sense (an outdated term for a person with developmental disabilities who shows extraordinary skill) and its social nuance are not fully predictable from the constituents alone, so it is only partially transparent to learners.
Etymology
The term idiot savant comes from older medical language: idiot once meant someone with very low mental ability, and savant is a French word for a very skilled or learned person. It was used for people who had serious disabilities but also had an amazing skill in one area, like music or memory. That's why the phrase points to that contrast today, and why it is now often called 'outdated' and 'offensive'.