pundit
noun

- an expert in a particular subject or field who is frequently called upon to give their opinions to the public

(Oxford English Dictionary)

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A pundit is someone who offers to mass media an opinion or commentary on a particular subject area (most typically political analysis, the social sciences or sport) on which they are usually knowledgeable - or at least appear to be.

The term has been increasingly applied to popular media personalities. In particular, cable news networks have created pundits across the entire social and political spectrum, making many of these people not only famous, but rich. In certain cases, pundit is applied in a derogatory manner as the political equivalent of “ideologue.”

The word pundit stems from the Sanskritic term pandit, (paṇḍitá), meaning “learned.” It refers to someone who has knowledge of various subjects and who conducts religious ceremonies and offers counsel to the king. The term usually refers to a person from the Hindu Brahmin caste.

From at least the early 19th century, a Pundit of the Supreme Court in Colonial India was an officer of the judiciary who advised British judges on questions of Hindu law. In Anglo-Indian use, pundit also referred to a native of India who was trained and employed by the British to survey inaccessible regions beyond the British frontier.

A related term that also derives from Hinduism is “guru,” a personal religious teacher and spiritual guide.

Sources:
- Josef Joffe “The Decline of the Public Intellectual and the Rise of the Pundit”
- Peter Dahlgren “The Political Web: Media, Participation and Alternative Democracy”

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SYNONYMS

cognoscenti, expert, intellectual, guru, learned one, philosopher, professor, thinker

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I HAD TO LAUGH :)

Medical pundits were asked if it’s time to ease the lockdown:

Allergists were in favour of scratching it, but Dermatologists advised not to make any rash moves.

Gastroenterologists had sort of a gut feeling about it, but Neurologists thought the government had a lot of nerve.

Obstetricians felt certain everyone was labouring under a misconception, while Ophthalmologists considered the idea short-sighted.

Many Pathologists yelled, “Over my dead body!” while Paediatricians said, “Oh, grow up!”

Psychiatrists thought the whole idea was madness, while Radiologists could see right through it.

Surgeons decided to wash their hands of the whole thing and Pharmacists claimed it would be a bitter pill to swallow.

Plastic Surgeons claimed that this proposal would “put a whole new face on the matter".

Podiatrists thought it was a step forward, but Urologists were pissed off at the whole idea.

Anaesthesiologists thought the proposal was a gas, whereas Cardiologists didn’t have the heart to say no.

In the end, even the Proctologists couldn't put their finger on it!

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Practice OWAD in a conversation today, say something like

“The weather PUNDITS are forecasting warm weather for the coming week.”

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P.S. A BIG THANKS to all “Friends-of-OWAD” who are supporting my efforts to keep the service going:)

https://donorbox.org/keep-owad-alive