Imaginary in what sense? Are there not concepts in the zeitgeist? From my lived experience if I mentioned to someone that a particular friend was "the coffee g

Imaginary in what sense? Are there not concepts in the zeitgeist? From my lived experience if I mentioned to someone that a particular friend was "the coffee guy" in my social circle 15 years ago they would assume that he worked in the coffee industry. They probably wouldn't assume that he was potentially a lawyer and has a cupboard full of various coffee brewing devices. I mean sure for a long time the concept of a coffee connoisseur was a thing, the SCAA was a thing but to clarify at some point it became not only acknowledged but socially acceptable to refer to yourself as "the coffee guy". As for your remarks about expertise, self and self worth it depends on the domain and the individual.