Skip to main content

Rhetorical masturbation 

Rhetorical masturbation: Self-aggrandizing speech consisting of lies and deceit usually by politicians.
Hillary Clinton's speech was nothing more than rhetorical masturbation .

rhetorical hashtag 

Much like a rhetorical question, a rhetorical hashtag is a hashtag used in a tweet to produce an effect or make a statement, rather than for the generally intended purpose of hashtag, which is to connect the tweet with other tweets using the same tag and make it searchable. Rhetorical hashtags are often used to inject humor and sarcasm, or even to clarify what the tweet pertains to. Occasionally they are used to make passive aggressive jabs at others. They are sometimes long and made up of many words strung together.
Some examples of tweets using rhetorical hashtags: "I'm awake. #crap" "So @thinkgeek is hiring product testers? They should totally hire me to take care of that for them. #onlyhalfkidding" "Sure, I'll let my little brother borrow my new car. #overmydeadbody #worstdriverever"
Sharon really goes overboard with the rhetorical hashtags. She can hardly tweet without adding something like #holyhellwhyisthishappeningtomeagain. I wish she'd shut up and quit whining.

rhetorical question

• Implies it's own answer
• Requires no answer, answer is obvious
"Su, Why are you so freaking stupid?" Jennifer yelled the rhetorical question!

Rhetorical Compliment 

A compliment to another person which may be sarcastic, or not, but which compliments the other. The speaker may expect a response, but the receiver usually won't comment. Similar to a rhetorical question.
(In this scenario, a kid has 68 algebra problems to do)

Dad: How many problems have you done now, son?
Kid: 23.
Dad: You're making progress!

^
lll an example of a Rhetorical Compliment

rhetorical apology 

An apology that does not require an "it's ok" response. Usually the person who is being apologized to should actually be doing the apologizing. Rhetorical apologies are often stated with large amounts of unmistakable sarcasm.
Incorrect response...
Guy: Oh come on girl! What's wrong with having a little fun?
Girl: Um do I look like the kind of person who's ok with just having "a little fun?" I'm not a slut. Sorry.
Guy: That's ok.
Girl: That was a rhetorical apology you doucher.

Correct response...

Guy: Oh come on girl! What's wrong with having a little fun?
Girl: Um do I look like the kind of person who's ok with just having "a little fun?" I'm not a slut. Sorry.
Guy: Oh no no! I'm sorry! I was completely out of line.

Rhetorical offer

Offer that is given without the means to fulfill it or to get someone's hopes up
I will send you a naked picture of me covered with digestives - that is obviously a rhetorical offer
Rhetorical offer by tobukata June 7, 2017