Does reading books make you an intellectual?

My friend told this to me today. He was implying the name of an author but me and my friends were totally stumped and didn't know who he was talking about. Then he says "Oh, I'll just have to talk with (name of another friend) since he's an intellectual and knows this author" and yadda yadda. He's also black.

I used to have a great vocabulary, but I simplified my language simply because I don't have alot of intellectuals to talk to these days. It's just not practical to confuse people with words and make yourself look like a pompous ass... but sometimes I wish I was less lazy growing up, so I might've gone to a better university and become an intellectual. It must be great to just be an intellectual, in everyday life. Being intellectual and stuff.