Meanings
- derogatoryuncountableThe application of (especially mathematical) techniques learned by rote, without proper understanding or consideration.
The problem of cookbookery is not peculiar to data analysis. But the solution of concentrating upon mathematics and proof is.
1992, Samuel Kotz, Norman Lloyd Johnson, Breakthroughs in Statistics: Methodology and distribution2 more examples
In this degenerate laboratory work, in this cookbookery of a ritual of recipes, the aim is not to do an honest experiment but to get the "right" answer.
1964, Caribbean quarterly: Volumes 10-11Most of the New Math is just what the Old Math was — cookbookery. The difference is that the cookbooks are newer, more up to date — which may be a good thing, if cookbookery is what you want.
1968, Anglo American Corporation of South Africa, Optima: Volume 18
Origin
Cite this entry
cookbookery. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/cookbookery
“cookbookery.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/cookbookery. Accessed November 4, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “cookbookery,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/cookbookery.
Source: cookbookery on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.