observationalist
/ˌɒbzəˈveɪʃ(ə)nəlɪst/ /ˌɒbzəˈveɪʃn(ə)lɪst/ /ˌɒbzəˈveɪʃ(ə)nəlɪst/Chiefly Philosophy and Science
adjective
Adhering to observationalism; practising observational as opposed to theoretical work; (also, more generally) using observation as a principal method of working.
noun
A person who employs observation as a principal method of working (opposed to theoretician, theorist). Also ( Philosophy ): an adherent of observationalism.
Origin
1950s; earliest use found in Mind. From observational + -ist.
- you can't make bricks without straw
- you can't (or can) talk (you shouldn't or should talk)
- you can't put an old head on young shoulders
- you can't teach an old dog new tricks
- you can't win them all (or win some, lose some)
- you could have fooled me!
- you could have knocked me (or her, him, etc.) down with a feather
- you couldn't make it up
- you'd
- you don't say (or you don't say so)!
- Youghiogheny River
- you have no idea
- you haven't lived!
- youing
- you know
- you know something (or what)?
- you-know-who (or you-know-what)
- you'll
- you may (or might) as well be hanged for a sheep as for a lamb
- you must be (or have to be) joking
- you must be (or have to be) kidding
- you name it
- you never know
- young
- young adult