What is an expression for something that appears important/valuable but actually isn't that...
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For example, I believe that pie charts of your spending are presented as being important and valuable, but they rarely result in actual better spending habits. Therefore, pie charts of your spending are ________.
While a single word is appreciated, I would prefer an expression like "pie charts of your spending are a red herring" (but "red herring" isn't quite right).
phrases
asked May 14 at 17:33
Matty SallinMatty Sallin
113
|
show 1 more comment
For example, I believe that pie charts of your spending are presented as being important and valuable, but they rarely result in actual better spending habits. Therefore, pie charts of your spending are ________.
While a single word is appreciated, I would prefer an expression like "pie charts of your spending are a red herring" (but "red herring" isn't quite right).
phrases
asked May 14 at 17:33
Matty SallinMatty Sallin
113
I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because the title of the question (a generalism) doesn’t correspond to the particular concern expressed in the question.
– David
May 15 at 18:54
@David I'm not sure what you meant exactly, but I changed the title to ask for an expression rather than a term. Is that what you were getting at? I'm new at this, so I appreciate the help.
– Matty Sallin
May 15 at 21:24
I thought I had already made a comment that had for some reason been removed. To repeat, your concern is not that pie charts are unimportant in a general sense, but in the specific sense that “they do not lead to better spending habits”. My point is that no phrase by itself can convey that idea, which needs to be included in your sample sentence: “pie charts of your spending are ......... in relation to producing better spending habits.” In which case I am sure you can supply suitable words (irrelevant, ineffective, useless) yourself.
– David
May 15 at 21:48
Cut the kid some slack it's a fair question generating interesting and varied answers mate
– Confused Soul
May 15 at 22:01
@David Actually, what I'm looking for is an expression to communicate something that is generally considered useful actually isn't. Perhaps my example could be better as you point out, but it's still a legitimate question IMHO.
– Matty Sallin
May 16 at 15:59
|
show 1 more comment
For example, I believe that pie charts of your spending are presented as being important and valuable, but they rarely result in actual better spending habits. Therefore, pie charts of your spending are ________.
While a single word is appreciated, I would prefer an expression like "pie charts of your spending are a red herring" (but "red herring" isn't quite right).
phrases
asked May 14 at 17:33
Matty SallinMatty Sallin
113
For example, I believe that pie charts of your spending are presented as being important and valuable, but they rarely result in actual better spending habits. Therefore, pie charts of your spending are ________.
While a single word is appreciated, I would prefer an expression like "pie charts of your spending are a red herring" (but "red herring" isn't quite right).
phrases
phrases
asked May 14 at 17:33
Matty SallinMatty Sallin
113
asked May 14 at 17:33
Matty SallinMatty Sallin
113
edited May 15 at 21:23
Matty Sallin
asked May 14 at 17:33
Matty SallinMatty Sallin
113
asked May 14 at 17:33
Matty SallinMatty Sallin
113
asked May 14 at 17:33
Matty SallinMatty Sallin
113
113
I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because the title of the question (a generalism) doesn’t correspond to the particular concern expressed in the question.
– David
May 15 at 18:54
@David I'm not sure what you meant exactly, but I changed the title to ask for an expression rather than a term. Is that what you were getting at? I'm new at this, so I appreciate the help.
– Matty Sallin
May 15 at 21:24
I thought I had already made a comment that had for some reason been removed. To repeat, your concern is not that pie charts are unimportant in a general sense, but in the specific sense that “they do not lead to better spending habits”. My point is that no phrase by itself can convey that idea, which needs to be included in your sample sentence: “pie charts of your spending are ......... in relation to producing better spending habits.” In which case I am sure you can supply suitable words (irrelevant, ineffective, useless) yourself.
– David
May 15 at 21:48
Cut the kid some slack it's a fair question generating interesting and varied answers mate
– Confused Soul
May 15 at 22:01
@David Actually, what I'm looking for is an expression to communicate something that is generally considered useful actually isn't. Perhaps my example could be better as you point out, but it's still a legitimate question IMHO.
– Matty Sallin
May 16 at 15:59
|
show 1 more comment
I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because the title of the question (a generalism) doesn’t correspond to the particular concern expressed in the question.
– David
May 15 at 18:54
@David I'm not sure what you meant exactly, but I changed the title to ask for an expression rather than a term. Is that what you were getting at? I'm new at this, so I appreciate the help.
– Matty Sallin
May 15 at 21:24
I thought I had already made a comment that had for some reason been removed. To repeat, your concern is not that pie charts are unimportant in a general sense, but in the specific sense that “they do not lead to better spending habits”. My point is that no phrase by itself can convey that idea, which needs to be included in your sample sentence: “pie charts of your spending are ......... in relation to producing better spending habits.” In which case I am sure you can supply suitable words (irrelevant, ineffective, useless) yourself.
– David
May 15 at 21:48
Cut the kid some slack it's a fair question generating interesting and varied answers mate
– Confused Soul
May 15 at 22:01
@David Actually, what I'm looking for is an expression to communicate something that is generally considered useful actually isn't. Perhaps my example could be better as you point out, but it's still a legitimate question IMHO.
– Matty Sallin
May 16 at 15:59
I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because the title of the question (a generalism) doesn’t correspond to the particular concern expressed in the question.
– David
May 15 at 18:54
I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because the title of the question (a generalism) doesn’t correspond to the particular concern expressed in the question.
– David
May 15 at 18:54
@David I'm not sure what you meant exactly, but I changed the title to ask for an expression rather than a term. Is that what you were getting at? I'm new at this, so I appreciate the help.
– Matty Sallin
May 15 at 21:24
@David I'm not sure what you meant exactly, but I changed the title to ask for an expression rather than a term. Is that what you were getting at? I'm new at this, so I appreciate the help.
– Matty Sallin
May 15 at 21:24
I thought I had already made a comment that had for some reason been removed. To repeat, your concern is not that pie charts are unimportant in a general sense, but in the specific sense that “they do not lead to better spending habits”. My point is that no phrase by itself can convey that idea, which needs to be included in your sample sentence: “pie charts of your spending are ......... in relation to producing better spending habits.” In which case I am sure you can supply suitable words (irrelevant, ineffective, useless) yourself.
– David
May 15 at 21:48
I thought I had already made a comment that had for some reason been removed. To repeat, your concern is not that pie charts are unimportant in a general sense, but in the specific sense that “they do not lead to better spending habits”. My point is that no phrase by itself can convey that idea, which needs to be included in your sample sentence: “pie charts of your spending are ......... in relation to producing better spending habits.” In which case I am sure you can supply suitable words (irrelevant, ineffective, useless) yourself.
– David
May 15 at 21:48
Cut the kid some slack it's a fair question generating interesting and varied answers mate
– Confused Soul
May 15 at 22:01
Cut the kid some slack it's a fair question generating interesting and varied answers mate
– Confused Soul
May 15 at 22:01
@David Actually, what I'm looking for is an expression to communicate something that is generally considered useful actually isn't. Perhaps my example could be better as you point out, but it's still a legitimate question IMHO.
– Matty Sallin
May 16 at 15:59
@David Actually, what I'm looking for is an expression to communicate something that is generally considered useful actually isn't. Perhaps my example could be better as you point out, but it's still a legitimate question IMHO.
– Matty Sallin
May 16 at 15:59
|
show 1 more comment
6 Answers
6
active
oldest
votes
To be exact, an object that attains more attention and importance than it deserves can be called "overrated" in a single word.
"Overestimated importance" is an expression that can fulfill the same linguistic function.
answered May 14 at 18:04
Confused SoulConfused Soul
34618
add a comment |
I would say that such pie-charts are of spurious value.
OED meaning of spurious - sense 3 is the important one:
Superficially resembling or simulating, but lacking the genuine character or qualities of, something; not true or genuine; false, sham, counterfeit:
answered May 14 at 18:18
WS2WS2
52.7k28117254
add a comment |
The term that comes to mind is fool's gold. "Something that seems more promising than it really is."
answered May 14 at 19:02
geekahedrongeekahedron
1,793213
add a comment |
How about boondoggle?
noun
1.
work or activity that is wasteful or pointless but gives the appearance of having value.
"writing off the cold fusion phenomenon as a boondoggle best buried in literature"
answered May 15 at 17:39
illudiumpew36illudiumpew36
352
add a comment |
How about dud?
informal - One that is disappointingly ineffective or unsuccessful.
answered May 14 at 18:28
Joshua KadenJoshua Kaden
33016
add a comment |
superfluous
not necessary or relevant; uncalled-for (Collins at the free dictionary)
Your example:
I believe that pie charts of your spending are presented as being important and valuable, but they rarely result in actual better spending habits. Therefore, pie charts of your spending are superfluous.
This means that they are unnecessary.
answered May 15 at 4:51
aparente001aparente001
15.1k43673
add a comment |
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6 Answers
6
active
oldest
votes
6 Answers
6
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
To be exact, an object that attains more attention and importance than it deserves can be called "overrated" in a single word.
"Overestimated importance" is an expression that can fulfill the same linguistic function.
answered May 14 at 18:04
Confused SoulConfused Soul
34618
add a comment |
To be exact, an object that attains more attention and importance than it deserves can be called "overrated" in a single word.
"Overestimated importance" is an expression that can fulfill the same linguistic function.
answered May 14 at 18:04
Confused SoulConfused Soul
34618
add a comment |
To be exact, an object that attains more attention and importance than it deserves can be called "overrated" in a single word.
"Overestimated importance" is an expression that can fulfill the same linguistic function.
answered May 14 at 18:04
Confused SoulConfused Soul
34618
To be exact, an object that attains more attention and importance than it deserves can be called "overrated" in a single word.
"Overestimated importance" is an expression that can fulfill the same linguistic function.
answered May 14 at 18:04
Confused SoulConfused Soul
34618
answered May 14 at 18:04
Confused SoulConfused Soul
34618
answered May 14 at 18:04
Confused SoulConfused Soul
34618
answered May 14 at 18:04
Confused SoulConfused Soul
34618
34618
add a comment |
add a comment |
I would say that such pie-charts are of spurious value.
OED meaning of spurious - sense 3 is the important one:
Superficially resembling or simulating, but lacking the genuine character or qualities of, something; not true or genuine; false, sham, counterfeit:
answered May 14 at 18:18
WS2WS2
52.7k28117254
add a comment |
I would say that such pie-charts are of spurious value.
OED meaning of spurious - sense 3 is the important one:
Superficially resembling or simulating, but lacking the genuine character or qualities of, something; not true or genuine; false, sham, counterfeit:
answered May 14 at 18:18
WS2WS2
52.7k28117254
add a comment |
I would say that such pie-charts are of spurious value.
OED meaning of spurious - sense 3 is the important one:
Superficially resembling or simulating, but lacking the genuine character or qualities of, something; not true or genuine; false, sham, counterfeit:
answered May 14 at 18:18
WS2WS2
52.7k28117254
I would say that such pie-charts are of spurious value.
OED meaning of spurious - sense 3 is the important one:
Superficially resembling or simulating, but lacking the genuine character or qualities of, something; not true or genuine; false, sham, counterfeit:
answered May 14 at 18:18
WS2WS2
52.7k28117254
answered May 14 at 18:18
WS2WS2
52.7k28117254
answered May 14 at 18:18
WS2WS2
52.7k28117254
answered May 14 at 18:18
WS2WS2
52.7k28117254
52.7k28117254
add a comment |
add a comment |
The term that comes to mind is fool's gold. "Something that seems more promising than it really is."
answered May 14 at 19:02
geekahedrongeekahedron
1,793213
add a comment |
The term that comes to mind is fool's gold. "Something that seems more promising than it really is."
answered May 14 at 19:02
geekahedrongeekahedron
1,793213
add a comment |
The term that comes to mind is fool's gold. "Something that seems more promising than it really is."
answered May 14 at 19:02
geekahedrongeekahedron
1,793213
The term that comes to mind is fool's gold. "Something that seems more promising than it really is."
answered May 14 at 19:02
geekahedrongeekahedron
1,793213
answered May 14 at 19:02
geekahedrongeekahedron
1,793213
answered May 14 at 19:02
geekahedrongeekahedron
1,793213
answered May 14 at 19:02
geekahedrongeekahedron
1,793213
1,793213
add a comment |
add a comment |
How about boondoggle?
noun
1.
work or activity that is wasteful or pointless but gives the appearance of having value.
"writing off the cold fusion phenomenon as a boondoggle best buried in literature"
answered May 15 at 17:39
illudiumpew36illudiumpew36
352
add a comment |
How about boondoggle?
noun
1.
work or activity that is wasteful or pointless but gives the appearance of having value.
"writing off the cold fusion phenomenon as a boondoggle best buried in literature"
answered May 15 at 17:39
illudiumpew36illudiumpew36
352
add a comment |
How about boondoggle?
noun
1.
work or activity that is wasteful or pointless but gives the appearance of having value.
"writing off the cold fusion phenomenon as a boondoggle best buried in literature"
answered May 15 at 17:39
illudiumpew36illudiumpew36
352
How about boondoggle?
noun
1.
work or activity that is wasteful or pointless but gives the appearance of having value.
"writing off the cold fusion phenomenon as a boondoggle best buried in literature"
answered May 15 at 17:39
illudiumpew36illudiumpew36
352
answered May 15 at 17:39
illudiumpew36illudiumpew36
352
answered May 15 at 17:39
illudiumpew36illudiumpew36
352
answered May 15 at 17:39
illudiumpew36illudiumpew36
352
352
add a comment |
add a comment |
How about dud?
informal - One that is disappointingly ineffective or unsuccessful.
answered May 14 at 18:28
Joshua KadenJoshua Kaden
33016
add a comment |
How about dud?
informal - One that is disappointingly ineffective or unsuccessful.
answered May 14 at 18:28
Joshua KadenJoshua Kaden
33016
add a comment |
How about dud?
informal - One that is disappointingly ineffective or unsuccessful.
answered May 14 at 18:28
Joshua KadenJoshua Kaden
33016
How about dud?
informal - One that is disappointingly ineffective or unsuccessful.
answered May 14 at 18:28
Joshua KadenJoshua Kaden
33016
answered May 14 at 18:28
Joshua KadenJoshua Kaden
33016
answered May 14 at 18:28
Joshua KadenJoshua Kaden
33016
answered May 14 at 18:28
Joshua KadenJoshua Kaden
33016
33016
add a comment |
add a comment |
superfluous
not necessary or relevant; uncalled-for (Collins at the free dictionary)
Your example:
I believe that pie charts of your spending are presented as being important and valuable, but they rarely result in actual better spending habits. Therefore, pie charts of your spending are superfluous.
This means that they are unnecessary.
answered May 15 at 4:51
aparente001aparente001
15.1k43673
add a comment |
superfluous
not necessary or relevant; uncalled-for (Collins at the free dictionary)
Your example:
I believe that pie charts of your spending are presented as being important and valuable, but they rarely result in actual better spending habits. Therefore, pie charts of your spending are superfluous.
This means that they are unnecessary.
answered May 15 at 4:51
aparente001aparente001
15.1k43673
add a comment |
superfluous
not necessary or relevant; uncalled-for (Collins at the free dictionary)
Your example:
I believe that pie charts of your spending are presented as being important and valuable, but they rarely result in actual better spending habits. Therefore, pie charts of your spending are superfluous.
This means that they are unnecessary.
answered May 15 at 4:51
aparente001aparente001
15.1k43673
superfluous
not necessary or relevant; uncalled-for (Collins at the free dictionary)
Your example:
I believe that pie charts of your spending are presented as being important and valuable, but they rarely result in actual better spending habits. Therefore, pie charts of your spending are superfluous.
This means that they are unnecessary.
answered May 15 at 4:51
aparente001aparente001
15.1k43673
answered May 15 at 4:51
aparente001aparente001
15.1k43673
answered May 15 at 4:51
aparente001aparente001
15.1k43673
answered May 15 at 4:51
aparente001aparente001
15.1k43673
15.1k43673
add a comment |
add a comment |
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I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because the title of the question (a generalism) doesn’t correspond to the particular concern expressed in the question.
– David
May 15 at 18:54
@David I'm not sure what you meant exactly, but I changed the title to ask for an expression rather than a term. Is that what you were getting at? I'm new at this, so I appreciate the help.
– Matty Sallin
May 15 at 21:24
I thought I had already made a comment that had for some reason been removed. To repeat, your concern is not that pie charts are unimportant in a general sense, but in the specific sense that “they do not lead to better spending habits”. My point is that no phrase by itself can convey that idea, which needs to be included in your sample sentence: “pie charts of your spending are ......... in relation to producing better spending habits.” In which case I am sure you can supply suitable words (irrelevant, ineffective, useless) yourself.
– David
May 15 at 21:48
Cut the kid some slack it's a fair question generating interesting and varied answers mate
– Confused Soul
May 15 at 22:01
@David Actually, what I'm looking for is an expression to communicate something that is generally considered useful actually isn't. Perhaps my example could be better as you point out, but it's still a legitimate question IMHO.
– Matty Sallin
May 16 at 15:59