midwit

English edit

Etymology edit

From mid- +‎ wit; likely coined in line with nitwit, halfwit, etc.

Pronunciation edit

IPA^(key): /ˈmɪdwɪt/

Noun edit

midwit (plural midwits)

(neologism, chiefly Internet slang, mildly derogatory) A person of middling intellect; someone who is neither particularly dumb nor notably intelligent, especially if they act as if they are smarter than they are.
Coordinate terms: halfwit, lackwit
- 2023 February 11, Janan Ganesh, “After Germany's fall, which is the paragon nation?”, in FT Weekend, page 22:
  A true paragon nation captures the midwit, get-the-news-from-Trevor-Noah demographic.

Derived terms edit

midwittery

Usage notes edit

At least online, the term commonly carries connotations of the person deemed a "midwit" of being oversocialized and holding socially-acceptable views as if they were intellectually profound.

Anagrams edit

dimwit