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Home Discussion Forum General Discussion A Better Word than Ignorance to Mean "noviceness?"

 

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A Better Word than Ignorance to Mean "noviceness?"
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7:03AM
Apr-22-11


jaxelrod

Chicagoland

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I frequently find myself needing a word like "noviceness" to mean the state of being a novice, and end up using the word "ignorance," which has a negative connotation. I found a word "novitiate," which I think is outside most peoples' vocabulary. I'm not even sure if it's correct to say, "forgive my novitiate, but…"

Does anyone have any other ideas?

Thanks,
Jeff

8:10AM
Apr-22-11


Glenn

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It sounds like you want a fairly common word, rather than something exotic. To describe myself, I might make a different choice than when describing someone else. It sounds as if you wish to describe yourself, so I will go with that assumption.

How about: naiveté; unfamiliarity; unenlightenment?

For adjectives, you could also press agent nouns into service: my rookie mistake; my neophyte understanding; my newcomer brashness; my tenderfoot hesitation; beginner's luck.

9:11AM
Apr-22-11


jaxelrod

Chicagoland

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Post edited 9:11AM – Apr-22-11 by jaxelrod

Thanks Glenn! I think naiveté still sounds a bit negative, but you did make me think of another word: "Forgive my inexperience, but…" The need for this often came up for me because I'm not necessarily unfamiliar, just not yet an expert, and want to acknowledge that upfront.

Thanks,
Jeff

9:27AM
Apr-22-11


Glenn

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Excellent word!

4:48PM
Apr-22-11


cougar2shoes

Mountains of northern New Mexico

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I must be the first "cowboy" to post on this topic. How about "greenhorn"? As in, "Forgive me for being a greenhorn."

7:48PM
Apr-22-11


My Young Padawan

undisclosed location, United States

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I must be the first n00b to post on this topic. How about "n00b", used as "greenhorn" above?

8:01PM
Apr-22-11


jaxelrod

Chicagoland

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Thanks everyone for the great suggestions! To clarify, I was looking for a word to describe the state of being a novice, not a synonym for novice. "n00biety?" I'm satisfied with "inexperience," but feel free to add more.

Jeff

10:23AM
Apr-23-11


My Young Padawan

undisclosed location, United States

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Ha! I think I'm going to have to start using "n00biety". I'll let you know how that works out.

1:35AM
Apr-24-11


tromboniator

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Tyrocity?

12:40PM
Jan-29-12


Bob Bridges

USA

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Post edited 12:41PM – Jan-29-12 by Bob Bridges

"Novicity" is what occurred to me, but there must be on old one you can use without coining a new one.  "Amateurishness"?  Personally I have nothing against "ignorance", especially when applying it to myself (it could, as you say, have a negative effect if you try using it for others). 
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