Absent-minded professor
The
absent-minded professor is a
stock character of popular fiction usually portrayed as an
academic with important information, but whose focus on their learning leads them to ignore their surroundings.
An example of an absent-minded
professor is Professor Plum from
Cluedo, or
Professor Calculus from
Tintin. The earliest example of this character type is possibly the story associated with the philosopher
Thales, who allegedly walked at night with his eyes focused on the heavens, and as a result, fell down a
well.
Albert Einstein was also considered an absent-minded professor.
Another usage of the
phrase "absent-minded professor" is common in the
English language. Like the phrase itself implies, it is used to describe someone who is so engrossed in their 'own world' that they fail to keep track of their surroundings. It is a common stereotype that professors get so obsessed with their research that they pay little attention to anything else.
The "absent-minded professor" archetype is often mixed with the "
mad scientist" one. However, while the mad scientist archetype often has malevolent connotations, the absent minded professor is typically characterized as being odd but completely likeable.
The archetype is generally associated with, but not restricted to college professors.
*
Asperger's Syndrome
