Knowing things signals having spent time and energy on learning those things rather than other things. This might be the same principle behind the behavior of some classmates I had when I was in high school: they found it amusing to challenge me to spell naughty words and then laugh at me for being able to. (I think they supposed I’d specifically looked them all up instead of having good general spelling knowledge and a very fast reading speed to go through a lot of assorted literature. The signal persists even for knowledge picked up incidentally.)
Additionally, people who feel their strong opinions are matters of simple principles that apply in all cases might feel wishy-washy if they sought information that they expected to bear on the issue in question (because if it so bears, then their principle is threatened).
Knowing things signals having spent time and energy on learning those things rather than other things. This might be the same principle behind the behavior of some classmates I had when I was in high school: they found it amusing to challenge me to spell naughty words and then laugh at me for being able to. (I think they supposed I’d specifically looked them all up instead of having good general spelling knowledge and a very fast reading speed to go through a lot of assorted literature. The signal persists even for knowledge picked up incidentally.)
Additionally, people who feel their strong opinions are matters of simple principles that apply in all cases might feel wishy-washy if they sought information that they expected to bear on the issue in question (because if it so bears, then their principle is threatened).
I find it sad that there are any words high schoolers think you need to look up to know how to spell.