A form of Truth Bias where one invokes "truth" as a self-justifying warrant for their position, treating their claims as simply what's true and therefore beyond challenge. The fallacy lies in using the concept of truth to immunize one's views from examination—"I'm just telling the truth" becomes a way of saying "I don't need to argue, because what I say is simply reality." This fallacy shuts down inquiry rather than advancing it, positioning the speaker as the conduit of truth and all opponents as either deceived or deceivers. It's argument by assertion of virtue, not by evidence or reason.

Example: "She responded to every question with 'I'm just telling the truth'—as if saying it made it so. Argumentum Ad Veritatem: using the word 'truth' to avoid having to demonstrate it."

Argumentum Ad Veritatem by Dumu The Void March 16, 2026

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funiosity

The art of being peculiar, but in an amusing fashion.

"Wow, look at that dog running on three legs"
- "Yeah, that sure is a funiosity"

funiosity by Supersonic Stevie November 23, 2007

Word of the Day on July 25, 2026

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Toe Rag

A toe rag was originally a foot wrapping used, since mediaeval times up until the mid-nineteenth century, to protect the foot from chafing by boots or shoes. As these were, quite literally, rags they weren’t usually washed, and so with use they became very smelly until they were thrown away. Because of the similarity in smell, toe rag also became the name applied to dried, salted cod or other things with a strong, unpleasant, fishy smell. It didn’t take that long before the name was applied to someone who was an obnoxious, unpleasant OIC.

1 “Socks! Those aren’t socks you smelly git, they’re toe rags!”
2 “What have you been cooking? Smells like toe rag!”
3 “I can smell ‘er fanny from ‘ere, proper toe rag.”
4 That Heale Malcolm is a right toe rag.

Toe Rag by AKACroatalin November 29, 2016

Word of the Day on July 24, 2026

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