Henry Walker Hepner? Dorothy Dey? Ellen Seiter? Paddy Whannel? E. H. Jenkins? William James? Anonymous?
Question for Quote Investigator: Members of a profession often develop a specialized vocabulary or jargon to communicate effectively with one another. Yet, these words and phrases are unintelligible to others. Here is a pertinent quip about psychology:
A psychologist is someone who tells you something you already know in a language which you cannot understand.
Similar barbs have been aimed at sociology, semiotics, cultural studies, and behavioral science. Would you please explore the provenance of these remarks?
Reply from Quote Investigator: Tracing this family of jokes is difficult because the phrasing is highly variable. The earliest match located by QI appeared within the “Proceedings of the New York Farmers”. A meeting was held in New York City in February 1898. An unnamed farmer received credit for a version of the gibe aimed at the entire field of science:1
Years ago, after talking with a farmer—not a tobacco grower—regarding some reasons for thorough tillage, he paused in his work and remarked meditatively: “Science consists largely in telling people things which they already know, in a language which they cannot understand!”
Below are additional selected citations in chronological order.
Continue reading “Quote Origin: A Psychologist Tells You What You Already Know in a Language That You Cannot Understand”