The Legend of the Polymath
Learning
A polymath is always learning new things. They do not necessarily have to be good at learning or memorizing, although it is not uncommon for them to develop these talents over time. Learning is like practice, you need to find what works for you and what you already know. Polymaths do need to connect information in order for retention and overall preservation.
Polymaths are naturally curious and yearn to acquire new information. Acquiring information may seem as a hobby or talent, something they would want to do in their free time. Another analogy would be collecting, a polymath can be called an collector of knowledge. Collecting information and collecting objects are fundamentally different though.
Learn Anything
Not Know-It-Alls
Polymaths may know a wide range of topics, but that doesn't mean everything. Some may come off as such, but generally are everyday people. That is like calling a scientist a mad scientist, its the negative and extreme stereotype.