Sentence:  Even when the <WSD>absent-minded professor</WSD> comes in and says he wants a book he saw noticed a few weeks ago, he has forgotten the author's name and can't recall the title, but he is sure it is a good book because the "Nation" or the "Saturday Review", he really can't remember which, said so, try to find out what he wants and get it for him. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  A stereotypical fictional character whose focus on academic matters leads them to ignore or forget their surroundings.