The word “academic” has its origins in Plato’s Academy and was initially used to describe someone who studied or taught at the academy. Over time, the term evolved to encompass various forms of learning institutions and eventually became associated with theoretical or impractical concepts. The phrase “groves of Academe” emerged as a metaphor for academic seclusion. The shift from noun to adjective, along with semantic changes, led to “academic” being viewed as irrelevant or of no consequence. Despite these connotations, clinical academics have maintained a connection to practical realities within their field.
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