In Sophie's World, the phrase "self-opinionated know-it-all" was applied to the Sophists. The Sophists were a group of philosophers in ancient Greece who were known for their rhetorical skills and ability to persuade people through language. They were often criticized for being more concerned with winning arguments than with finding the truth. The term "sophistry" is often used to describe the use of clever but misleading arguments or reasoning. In the novel, the character Alberto describes the Sophists as "self-opinionated know-it-alls" who were more concerned with appearance than substance.
~~~Harsha~~~