A word for a worldly wise person who pretends to be naïve?
What is a word for someone who is experienced and wise, but who deliberately acts naïve?
I don’t intend it for sarcastic use; I’m trying to describe someone succeeding in making people think that that person truly is naïve.
Is there a word for this?
Solution 1:
I’d probably go for disingenuous: “Assuming a pose of naïveté to make a point or for deception.”
Solution 2:
Feigned ignorance is an expression used when someone pretends to be uninformed or unknowledgeable about something.
Solution 3:
You could call them faux naïf.
Solution 4:
I would go with "Lt. Columbo".