be someone who is booksmart but a klutz in every other way.

Hi

I’, looking for a word to describe someone who is book smart but a klutz in every other way. Perhaps there’s a Yiddish word for it.

I look forward to your feedback.
davidmich

Nerd?

Nerd, geek, Poindexter, Milhouse

[Milhouse]
I’m not a nerd, Bart. Nerds are smart.
[/Milhouse]

From “I am Curious (Yellow)”.

I would also disagree with geek. Geeks are generally viewed as having positive qualities. I.e., they actually can get things done. Nerds talk about getting things done. And talk and talk …

Dear davidmich,

Enclosed within this post you will find my feedback. I hope it does not disappoint.

A person who is booksmart, that is, intelligent and well versed in matters purely academic are simply referred to as booksmart. Streetsmart is the opposite, so a person fitting your discription would be known as, “booksmart, not streetsmart.”

Sincerely,

drewtwo99

If I may, you seem to be mixing parameters. Booksmart/streetsmart is one dimension. Klutz (clumsy)/antonym of klutz (the word is not coming to me) is another. One could be a streetsmart klutz. One could be a booksmart antonym of klutz. Now, I think the overlap between streetsmart and antonym of klutz is probably larger than the overlap between booksmart and antonym of klutz, but they are still independent of one another. FWIW.

And the term for someone who can quote Simpsons literally chapter and verse is…?

How about ‘idiot savant’

http://wordsmith.org/words/idiot_savant.html

How are you defining the word “klutz”? I’ve only ever heard it used to mean clumsy, and I don’t know why you’d tie that to intelligence.

Educated Idiot?

My friend Rick.

scholar

Something like “Yeshiva smart”?

Uncanny valley girl

klutzobrainiac

I wonder if “Putz” is what he really meant?

Egghead

Potential member of SDMB?

luft air (“luftmensch” - an Impractical fellow - a dreamer)

I think “Poindexter” covers it, nicely.