Some people love to sound intelligent, but in trying too hard, they sometimes end up saying things that actually make them seem, well… not very smart at all.
They overcomplicate the most basic ideas, use words they don’t even understand the meaning of, and try way too hard to sound intellectual, and the result is always more cringe than clever. Here are just some of the things that “smart” people say that actually make them sound a bit daft.
1. “I’m just playing devil’s advocate.”
Nothing screams “I love arguing for the sake of it” more than this phrase. People who say this usually aren’t offering any new ideas; they’re just stirring the pot, often in a way that doesn’t add much value to the conversation. It’s the classic move of someone who wants to sound like they’re intellectually challenging an idea but doesn’t actually have a strong argument of their own. There’s nothing wrong with a good debate, but constantly taking the opposing stance just to seem clever can be exhausting for everyone involved. If you’re always “just playing devil’s advocate,” people start to wonder if you even have any opinions of your own or if you just enjoy making things harder than they need to be.
2. “You probably wouldn’t understand.”
This is a classic line used by people who think they’re operating on a higher mental plane than everyone else. It’s usually said when they can’t actually explain their point but don’t want to admit it. Instead of breaking things down in a way that makes sense, they just act like the other person isn’t smart enough to keep up. The real giveaway here is that truly intelligent people know how to explain things clearly. If you can’t make someone else understand your point, that’s not their fault; it just means you don’t understand it well enough yourself. Saying this isn’t a sign of intelligence; it’s just an easy way to avoid admitting you’re not making sense.
3. “I actually read an article about this.”
Nothing wrong with staying informed, but dropping this into conversation as if reading one article instantly makes you an expert? That’s a different story. It often comes across as an attempt to sound knowledgeable without doing any real research. Just because someone skimmed a headline or read half of an opinion piece doesn’t mean they have a deep understanding of the topic. Real experts spend years studying and questioning what they know. If all someone has to back up their argument is “I read an article,” they’re probably overestimating how much they really understand. To be honest, half the time, they don’t even remember where they read it.
4. “I just have a really high IQ.”
The moment someone brings up their IQ in casual conversation, it’s usually a red flag. Intelligence isn’t something that needs to be announced; if you actually have a high IQ, it should be obvious from the way you engage, not something you have to say out loud. And the people who do bring it up often use it as a way to justify being arrogant, rather than actually proving their intelligence. Most genuinely intelligent people don’t even know their IQ, let alone feel the need to mention it. If someone is constantly using their IQ as a way to win arguments or put themselves above other people, it’s usually a sign that they’re relying on a number instead of actual knowledge.
5. “I prefer the term ‘sapiosexual.’”
Claiming to be attracted to intelligence is one thing, but calling yourself a sapiosexual as if it’s some exclusive personality trait is just a fancy way of saying “I like people who are smart” while making it sound unnecessarily deep. Most of the time, it comes across as pretentious rather than impressive. Plus, if intelligence was really the main attraction, these people would probably spend less time talking about how much they love smart people and more time actually engaging in thoughtful discussions. Saying this usually just makes them sound like they’re trying to make their dating preferences sound profound.
6. “Well, technically…”
There’s always that one person who can’t resist correcting minor details that don’t actually change the point of a conversation. Whether it’s nitpicking someone’s wording or pointing out irrelevant technicalities, this phrase rarely adds anything useful. It’s less about being right and more about proving they’re the smartest person in the room. Sure, accuracy is important, but constantly jumping in with “Well, technically…” over tiny details just makes people sound obnoxious. The smartest people know when to let things slide instead of turning every discussion into a tedious fact-checking session.
7. “I don’t watch TV.”
This one is always said with a certain smugness, as if avoiding television is the ultimate sign of intelligence. The implication is usually that they’re too busy reading philosophy or thinking deep thoughts to waste time on mainstream entertainment. But honestly, everyone consumes media in some form, even if they don’t want to admit it. Intelligent people know that entertainment doesn’t define someone’s intelligence. Plenty of brilliant minds enjoy a good series or documentary, and avoiding TV doesn’t automatically make someone more enlightened. It just makes them sound like they’re trying too hard to be different.
8. “Social media is rotting everyone’s brain.”
It’s true that social media has its downsides, but claiming that everyone who uses it is being mentally destroyed is just lazy thinking. It ignores the fact that there’s plenty of great content out there, from educational resources to meaningful discussions. The internet is what you make of it. Ironically, the people who say this often still use social media themselves — they just like pretending they’re above it. If someone really thought it was that harmful, they wouldn’t be on it in the first place.
9. “I don’t really do small talk.”
This usually translates to: “I think I’m too intellectual for casual conversation.” But in reality, the ability to engage in small talk is a social skill, not a sign of lower intelligence. Life isn’t always about deep, mind-expanding conversations — sometimes, you just have to chat about the weather or what you had for lunch. Genuinely smart people can adapt to different types of conversations. Dismissing small talk as beneath them just makes someone seem socially awkward, not intellectually superior.
10. “You just don’t get it.”
This is often used when someone can’t explain their point properly but doesn’t want to admit it. Instead of finding a better way to communicate, they act as if the other person’s lack of understanding is the problem. It’s basically a way to dodge admitting they’re not making sense. If someone really knows what they’re talking about, they can explain it in a way that makes sense. Saying “you just don’t get it” is usually a sign that they don’t really get it themselves.
11. “I only consume highbrow content.”
Some people love to act like they only read literary classics and watch intellectual documentaries, as if admitting to enjoying anything mainstream would damage their credibility. They make it seem like watching a reality show or listening to chart music is beneath them. But intelligence isn’t about avoiding pop culture; it’s about curiosity and open-mindedness. The truth is, some of the most intelligent people happily watch mindless TV or listen to cheesy pop songs because they understand that entertainment doesn’t have to be educational to be enjoyable. Pretending to only consume “highbrow” content doesn’t make you smarter; it just makes you seem insufferable.
12. “I just have a different way of thinking.”
Translation: “I think I’m smarter than you.” This one comes out when someone’s argument isn’t landing, and instead of reconsidering their point, they blame other people for not seeing their supposed brilliance. It’s a defensive way of avoiding a real discussion. Thinking differently isn’t a bad thing, but using it as an excuse to dismiss other perspectives? That’s not intelligence; that’s just arrogance in disguise. Real intelligence isn’t about acting like no one else can understand you; it’s about engaging with ideas, even when they challenge you.
13. “The average person just doesn’t understand this stuff.”
This is often said in an attempt to position themselves as above the “masses.” It’s a subtle way of saying, “I’m smarter than most people,” without actually proving it in any meaningful way. It also assumes that “average people” aren’t capable of understanding complex topics, which is just plain wrong. Smart people don’t need to constantly compare themselves to an imaginary “average” person to feel intelligent. True intelligence is about sharing knowledge, not using it as a tool to look down on other people. If someone truly understands a subject, they can explain it to anyone without resorting to elitist nonsense.
14. “I think too much for my own good.”
While overthinking is real, people who dramatically claim this are often just fishing for validation. They want to be seen as deep thinkers, tortured by their own intelligence. It’s as if their mind is just too powerful for the rest of the world to handle. Genuinely intelligent people don’t need to romanticise their thoughts — they just think, learn, and grow. Acting like their brain is some kind of intellectual burden is just performative nonsense. Overthinking isn’t a sign of genius; it’s just what happens when you spend too much time stuck in your own head.
15. “Actually, that’s not quite right.”
Some people love to correct everyone in a way that’s more about flexing their own knowledge than actually being helpful. This is used a lot when the correction is completely unnecessary, or when it’s about something so minor that it doesn’t change the overall point. There’s a difference between adding value to a conversation and just trying to one-up people. Smart people know when to step in with useful information and when to just let things go. Constantly correcting people on tiny details just makes you look like a know-it-all rather than someone who genuinely wants to contribute.
16. “I only associate with intellectuals.”
People who say this usually think they’re in some exclusive club of brilliance, but in reality, cutting themselves off from diverse perspectives only limits their thinking. Surrounding yourself with people who all think exactly like you isn’t a sign of intelligence; it’s a sign of insecurity. True intelligence isn’t about creating an echo chamber where everyone agrees with you. It’s about being open to different viewpoints, learning from a variety of people, and understanding that intelligence comes in many forms. Acting like intelligence is some kind of VIP status just makes someone sound out of touch.
