So I was standing in the stupid long line at the grocery store last night among all soap opera and gossip mags and I see “The Complete Idiots Guide to (something).” And I thought to myself, "Who would buy that book, therefore calling themselves a complete idiot? I object to the title, there’s a difference between being an idiot and just ignorant.
Anybody else feel that way?
I have 6 or 8 of the Dummies books. Take that as you will.
I’ve bought some, untroubled by the title. I don’t think it’s meant to be taken literally, but that they are aimed at people with no previous knowledge of the subject. Buying one doesn’t mean that you are a complete idiot literally, but that you may be a figuratively complete idiot on the subject of the book.
I recently noticed “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Tantric Sex” on a lover’s bedside table.
Dunno if he’s read it or not, but he definitely isn’t a complete idiot.
I might. I would tend to assume that it’s both an incredibly basic guide to something, and a guide which maybe doesn’t take itself terribly seriously. I also have the impression that the quality varies a good bit between different titles in the series–caused in part by authorship by different people.
Maybe he was before reading the book!
No, I’d get it at the library. I’m not a complete idiot, you know!
That war’nt no book-learnin’!
^Cite?
So, no interest in a copy of Web Publishing for Smelly, Impotent Pedophiles then?
Look around for The Dummies Guide To Not Taking Yourself So Seriously!. It’s an easy read.
My (immense) satisfaction is my cite. 
I’d never buy one but one was bought for me as a gift.
I felt a little insulted.
I have a few “for dummies” books. I don’t really care what the title says, if the content is there. If I am looking to learn about something, I go down to Borders and scope out a handful of books and take the best couple home.
I have the bass guitar one; it’s a good book.
My wife has a couple of “Dummies” books. I don’t like them, because I find the layout distracting.
Titles don’t make me no never mind, though.
Haha! I’d probably buy a “<whatever> for Dummies” book, with the attractive black and yellow color scheme and all. I guess another part of my objection to “Complete Idiot’s” books is they’re a ripoff of the “for Dummies” series.
I have one on knitting and crocheting.
Actually, I think this was the original “complete idiot’s guide”. The current Dummies and Idiots books are all ripoffs of the concept.
Absolutely terrific book, I knew several people (both experienced and not) that swore by it.
I’ve seen some of the ‘For Dummies’ and ‘Idiot Guides’ that I thought were fairly good. Others, not so much.
I don’t really care about the name if it’s got what I need. I am a complete idiot on some subjects.
But I do remember thinking much the same thing about the titles when I first saw them, lo these many years ago.
I think they are getting a little carried away with the whole thing.
The other day I saw “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Commodity Futures Tradings” or something of the sort.
There are some things that complete idiots should probably leave be.
Well, I work for Wiley – the company that publishes the Dummies books – and let me tell ya, PLENTY of people buy those books.