Derogatory term to describe an Engineer or upper Management. It can also be used to describe their proposed solution to a problem.
as an adjective -- insufferably obtuse
as a noun -- an un-entertaining charlatan
It is normally told to an Engineer, sometimes upper Management by either an Inspector or Construction Trash Contractor. It is intended to imply the person is a charlatan with no real world experience and only theoretical understanding of how to do a job. It is a professional and eloquent way of calling someone “A charlatan with no real world experience.” It is especially amusing when it goes over the person's head and they are oblivious to the major insult you gave them. It is also used to imply that although their book says it is theoretically possible. Real world experienced people know there is no way in hell it will work or it is completely unnecessary. You are astounded at their unprecedented level of stupidity and their lack of experience is shockingly apparent. They refuse to listen to your opinion because you do not have a degree like them and they look down on you even though you graduated from the school of hard knocks. You reluctantly agree to do it their way because you have front row seats to the colossal snafu that is about to unfold or you are making a lot of money doing unnecessary work. You do dread hearing the workers insufferable grumbling about how stupid of an idea it is or or how much of a complete waste of time it is.
This is Jimbo, he is an acadamical engineer.
Person A: This is how the book says you need to do this job.
Person B: We will do the job how you want although that step is academical.
Person A: I do not understand how it does not fit. It is built to the drawings.
Person B: The drawings are academical. On paper it should theoretically work but there a lot of factors the calculations don't factor.