We explain what it is to be pedantic, the characteristics of pedantic people and the origin of the term. Also, its current meaning.
What is being pedantic?
When we accuse someone of being pedantic, we are saying that he is conceited, that he tends to boast of his knowledge, whether it is vain or real, with or without reason to speak about it. The persons pedants tend to put on airs of superiority, insistently and meticulously correct others, or simply brag about what they know or have done, often to caress the ego own and feel better about themselves.
The term pedantic comes from Latin you ask, "Foot", and referred to pedestrians, that is, those who walk on foot. However, its current meaning comes from 16th century Italian, and refers to certain private teachers of the time, who were hired by wealthy families to tutor and educate their children, a task that they carried out by following them on foot everywhere. .
Thus, the word “pedantic” was associated with the idea of the small-time, itinerant teacher, who continually corrects or recites things learned. According to some specialists in etymology, this use would have been a burlesque deformation of "pedagogue" (pedagogue).
Today pedantic constitutes a adjective with clear negative connotations, with a meaning very close to that of smug, pretentious, conceited, conceited, pompous, conceited, smug or know-it-all, that is, totally contrary to that of humble, modest or simple.