DRKoenig's definitions
Definition
verb \ ˈsplər-thər-ing\
1. The act of spewing nonsense, half‑truths, or misleading statements in a way that furthers one’s own personal agenda, often with manipulative or nefarious intent.
2. More broadly, any rhetorical maneuver in which noise is substituted for substance to obscure truth, derail dialogue, or manufacture false legitimacy.
Etymology
Formed from the expressive English cluster spl- (suggesting messy or uncontrolled bursts, as in splatter, splutter, splat) combined with the verbal pattern of blathering and sputtering, evoking chaotic or deceptive speech. Coined by David R. Koenig (2026).
verb \ ˈsplər-thər-ing\
1. The act of spewing nonsense, half‑truths, or misleading statements in a way that furthers one’s own personal agenda, often with manipulative or nefarious intent.
2. More broadly, any rhetorical maneuver in which noise is substituted for substance to obscure truth, derail dialogue, or manufacture false legitimacy.
Etymology
Formed from the expressive English cluster spl- (suggesting messy or uncontrolled bursts, as in splatter, splutter, splat) combined with the verbal pattern of blathering and sputtering, evoking chaotic or deceptive speech. Coined by David R. Koenig (2026).
Usage Notes
• Often applied in governance, politics, and organizational life to describe tactics that cloud accountability or distort shared understanding.
• Conveys both intent (self‑serving) and method (nonsense as a tool).
• Useful as a diagnostic term in politics, risk governance, communication ethics, and narrative analysis.
Example Sentences
• The board meeting devolved into splurthering once the weak proposal met real scrutiny.
• Rather than answer the question, he resorted to splurthering to distract from the underlying issue.
• That man is a splurthering idiot!
• Effective governance requires the courage to call out splurthering wherever it appears.
Related Terms
• gaslighting — psychological manipulation that makes someone doubt their perception.
• sealioning — persistent, bad‑faith requests for evidence.
• blathering — talking foolishly at length (lacks the agenda-driven element).
• obfuscation — deliberate obscuring of meaning.
• Often applied in governance, politics, and organizational life to describe tactics that cloud accountability or distort shared understanding.
• Conveys both intent (self‑serving) and method (nonsense as a tool).
• Useful as a diagnostic term in politics, risk governance, communication ethics, and narrative analysis.
Example Sentences
• The board meeting devolved into splurthering once the weak proposal met real scrutiny.
• Rather than answer the question, he resorted to splurthering to distract from the underlying issue.
• That man is a splurthering idiot!
• Effective governance requires the courage to call out splurthering wherever it appears.
Related Terms
• gaslighting — psychological manipulation that makes someone doubt their perception.
• sealioning — persistent, bad‑faith requests for evidence.
• blathering — talking foolishly at length (lacks the agenda-driven element).
• obfuscation — deliberate obscuring of meaning.
by DRKoenig January 6, 2026
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