Aldous-1's definitions
An enemy whose own blunders and self-destructive actions render opposition unnecessary; best countered by non-interference.
Etymology: From Greek auto- (“self”) + phthartor (agent noun from phtheirō, “to ruin, destroy”), modeled on Latin -or suffix (“doer”). Literally: “the self-ruiner.”
Etymology: From Greek auto- (“self”) + phthartor (agent noun from phtheirō, “to ruin, destroy”), modeled on Latin -or suffix (“doer”). Literally: “the self-ruiner.”
1. Never wake an autophthartor mid-blunder; the show’s just getting good.
2. His press conference was peak autophthartor—every word a landmine with his own name on it.
3. In chess and politics alike: let the autophthartor overextend. There is no greater joy than seeing one’s enemy die by his own hand.
2. His press conference was peak autophthartor—every word a landmine with his own name on it.
3. In chess and politics alike: let the autophthartor overextend. There is no greater joy than seeing one’s enemy die by his own hand.
by Aldous-1 October 28, 2025
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