What is a mile wide and an inch deep mean?
shallow
“A mile wide and an inch deep” is attributed to Edgar Nye referring to a river in the Midwest. It has become to mean being shallow or lacking depth in a particular subject matter.
What is a mile wide?
Milewide definition Measuring a mile in width.
What means inch deep?
“USA intellectualism: a mile wide, an inch deep”: A mile is very wide, compared to an inch. They are saying that US intellectuals pontificate on all kinds of subjects, but the are not looking at the details. Follow this answer to receive notifications.
Why is it called a mile wide and an inch deep?
It covers a good deal of ground, but it is not deep. In some places it is a mile wide and three-quarters of an inch deep.”. And so the phrase was born. It’s not meant to be a compliment. In fact, it quickly began to be used in politics, academia, and other fields to describe people whose knowledge is superficial.
What is the meaning of deep and wide in this sentence?
“Deep” in this sentence refers to the amount of thought and information contained in one’s ideas. “Wide” means variety. So the idea expressed in this sentence is that Americans as a whole have many ideas or positions, but those ideas are poorly thought out and not backed by evidence, reality, etc.
What is the meaning of depth and width of knowledge?
Answer Wiki. You may need to understand the meaning of “depth” and “width” in the context of knowledge or expertise in the phrase ‘inch wide – mile deep’. A depth of knowledge or understanding, is knowing all the fine detail and nuance of a subject. A wide, or broad, knowledge, is knowing the basics, but on a wide range of subjects.
Is American intellectualism a mile wide an inch deep?
“USA intellectualism: a mile wide, an inch deep”: A mile is very wide, compared to an inch. They are saying that US intellectuals pontificate on all kinds of subjects, but the are not looking at the details. Share Improve this answer