Basic Details
Word: Philistine
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: A person who is uninterested in or hostile to artistic and cultural values.
Synonyms: Ignoramus, Yob, Uncultured person
Antonyms: Cultured person, Intellectual, Arts lover
Idioms and Phrases
- Philistine at heart: Used to describe someone who pretends to appreciate art or culture but really does not. Example: "Though he visited the gallery, he seemed like a Philistine at heart, barely glancing at the paintings."
- Cultured in a Philistine world: Referring to someone who values art and culture in an environment that does not. Example: "She felt cultured in a Philistine world, searching for beauty among the chaos of the busy city."
Usage Examples
Example 1: Some people labelled him a Philistine because he preferred watching popular reality television shows over visiting art exhibitions.
Example 2: While she appreciated the nuances in classical music, her friend was a Philistine who preferred loud pop songs.
Example 3: The debate on whether reading poetry is worthwhile revealed the Philistine attitudes of those who dismissed it as unimportant.
Fun Fact
The term "philistine" comes from the ancient Philistines, a group of people mentioned in the Bible who lived in what is now Israel and Palestine. Over time, the word evolved to describe those who show indifference to culture and the arts, likely because the Philistines of biblical accounts were often depicted as uncultured and barbaric.
Famous Quote
"The Philistine is a person who is concerned with the material world at the expense of the spiritual." John Schaar
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "philistine" mean?
a) A lover of art
b) Someone uninterested in culture
c) A type of cuisine
d) A historical figure
Answer: b) Someone uninterested in culture
2. Which of these is a synonym of "philistine"?
a) Connoisseur
b) Ignoramus
c) Intellectual
d) Scholar
Answer: b) Ignoramus
3. Which sentence uses "philistine" correctly?
a) The philistine admired the great works of literature.
b) The philistine dismissively scoffed at the art exhibition.
c) The philistine volunteered at the gallery.
d) The philistine hosted a classical music concert.
Answer: b) The philistine dismissively scoffed at the art exhibition.
4. Which idiom describes someone who pretends to enjoy culture but does not?
a) Philistine at heart
b) Jack of all trades
c) Heart of gold
d) All that glitters is not gold
Answer: a) Philistine at heart
5. What is the opposite of "philistine"?
a) N/A
b) Intellectual
c) Uninterested person
d) Common person
Answer: b) Intellectual
