Sentence:  Since John happens to be about the best non-professional writer/editor on earth, I knew that I was taking an awful chance, but as it happened he had other commitments and had to pass up the opportunity of showing me up for the <WSD>pedestrian hacker</WSD> that I really am. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  (hacker) Someone who is mediocre at their craft.