--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In passing I draw attention to another…" description: "\"In passing I draw attention to another English expression which often occurs in Dutch texts: \"the real world\". In Dutch - and I am afraid not in Dutch ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb5/edsger-dijkstra-5102_attention_in-passing-i-draw-attention-to-another-e_2074279.png" --- # In passing I draw attention to another English expression… ![“In passing I draw attention to another English expression which often occurs in Dutch texts: "the real world". In Dutch - and I am afraid not in Dutch alone - its usage is almost always a symptom of a violent anti-intellectualism.” quote by Edsger Dijkstra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb5/edsger-dijkstra-5102_attention_in-passing-i-draw-attention-to-another-e_2074279.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb5/edsger-dijkstra-5102_attention_in-passing-i-draw-attention-to-another-e_2074279.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb5/edsger-dijkstra-5102_attention_in-passing-i-draw-attention-to-another-e_2074279.png) > “In passing I draw attention to another English expression which often occurs in Dutch texts: "the real world". In Dutch - and I am afraid not in Dutch alone - its usage is almost always a symptom of a violent anti-intellectualism.” [Edsger Dijkstra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edsger-dijkstra/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The phrase “the real world” is often used to dismiss intellectual pursuits, reflecting anti‑intellectual sentiment. **In simple terms:** Calling something “the real world” can undermine scholarly work Key Takeaway Question the use of “real world” as a dismissive term Themes critical thinking language philosophy culture anti‑intellectualism Mood skeptical reflective Type philosophical critical When to use this quote - academic writing - public discourse - education - media analysis Key Concepts semantic drift ideology skepticism Questions to Reflect On - Why do we label certain knowledge as “real”? - How does this affect public trust in expertise? A Different Perspective People may still cling to the phrase for rhetorical effect ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attention/) [Dutch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dutch/) [Expression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expression/) [Intellectualism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intellectualism/) [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) [Real world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real-world/) [Violent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/violent/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-asimov/the-strain-of-anti-intellectualism-has-been-a-constant-thread-winding/) [Isaac Asimov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-asimov/) > [“In the years of its rise the movement little by little brought the community's attitude toward the teacher around from respect and envy to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milton-mayer/in-the-years-of-its-rise-the-movement-little-by-little-brought-the/) [Milton Mayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milton-mayer/) > [Anti-intellectualism has spawned an irrelevant gospel. 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