"An intellectual snob is someone who can listen to the William Tell Overture and not think of The Lone Ranger"

Dan Rather's quote is a humorous method of describing somebody who is extremely intellectual and pretentious. An intellectual snob is somebody who is so concentrated on being viewed as clever and knowledgeable that they forget to take pleasure in the simple pleasures in life. The William Tell Overture is a traditional piece of music that is often connected with the Lone Ranger, a popular fictional character from the 1950s. An intellectual snob would be so focused on the technical elements of the music that they would not be able to value the fond memories and pleasure that the piece gives lots of people. They would be too hectic attempting to flaunt their understanding and elegance to delight in the music for what it is. Dan Rather's quote is a funny method of explaining the recklessness of intellectual snobbery and the importance of having the ability to appreciate the easy things in life.