general knowledge

You use this phrase to describe what someone knows. You can say someone has a good grasp of general knowledge. It often comes up during games or casual chats. You might use it to humble-brag about your trivia skills. Or you might use it to explain why you know a random fact. It acts like a label for 'common facts everyone should probably know'.

Use it when discussing education or intelligence. It is perfect for social settings like pub quizzes. Use it at work when someone mentions a fact outside their role. It is great for icebreakers. You can also use it when watching game shows like 'Jeopardy'. It feels natural in both academic and social circles.

Do not use it for deep, technical expertise. If you are talking about coding, do not call it general knowledge. Avoid using it to insult someone's intelligence directly. Saying someone 'lacks general knowledge' can sound quite harsh. Do not use it for personal secrets or private information. It only applies to facts about the world at large.

In English-speaking cultures, general knowledge is highly valued. It is the heart of the 'Pub Quiz' tradition in the UK. Being a 'polymath' or a 'buff' is often a point of pride. Schools often have general knowledge tests to encourage broad reading. It represents the ideal of the 'Renaissance person' who knows a little about everything. It is about being curious about the world.

You might hear people say trivia for less important facts. Some call it common knowledge, but that is slightly different. Common knowledge is something everyone in a specific group already knows. General knowledge is more about facts you have learned. You might also hear well-rounded to describe a person with this trait. 'Broad horizons' is another way to describe the result of having it.