On reflection, should cognoscenti bow then, if they discover it is not worthy of respect? (3-3)
I believe the answer is:
two-bit
'discover it is not worthy of respect?' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.
'on reflection should cognoscenti bow then if they' is the wordplay.
'on' is an insertion indicator (as in clothing 'on' a person).
'reflection' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'should cognoscenti' becomes 'bow' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'bow' indicates taking the first letters (bow can mean the front, eg on a ship).
The first letters of 'then if they' is 'tit'.
'bow' backwards is 'wob'.
'wob' placed within 'tit' is 'TWO-BIT'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for two-bit that I've seen before include "Cheap, worthless (US)" , "Inferior - cheap" , "Cheap (US colloq.)" , "Paltry" , "Cheap - insignificant" .)