Literally meaning 'seed-picker,' this contemptuous term was used of birds pecking at scraps and extended metaphorically to people who gathered bits of knowledge or gossip without real understanding. The Epicurean and Stoic philosophers in Athens hurled this insult at Paul when he preached about Jesus and the resurrection. Classical sources show it denoted pretentious dabblers who retailed half-understood ideas. The French translation captures the literal etymology (semeur-de-paroles), while English 'babbler' and Spanish charlatán convey the contempt.