Boogeyman tactics

"Boogeyman Tactics: A rhetorical strategy where someone tries to distract from the real issue by creating or exaggerating a threat that doesn't actually exist. Instead of addressing the actual argument, they shift focus to a made-up or overblown danger—like a modern-day 'boogeyman'—to manipulate others into fear or compliance. It's a form of red herring meant to derail the conversation and avoid dealing with the real problem."

Person A: "We really need to start reducing our carbon footprint at home. The evidence on climate change is overwhelming, and we should be doing our part to help."

Person B: "I don't think that's the real issue. What we should really be worried about is how immigration is out of control. More people coming into the country means more strain on our resources and more pollution. We should focus on that instead."

In this example, Person B is using Boogeyman Tactics by shifting the conversation from climate change to immigration, a different issue altogether. This is a red herring intended to derail the discussion about reducing their carbon footprint, by bringing up an unrelated and exaggerated threat of increased pollution due to immigration.

by King Of Fallacies August 3, 2024

Teemu Tactical

A wannabe operator type who buys everything from knock-off Chinese discount websites at cut rate prices.

That security rent-a-cop is such a teemu tactical billy badass wannabe operator.

by kimmerB August 4, 2024

Holy tactics, Batman!

A phrase used by the nerf (or foam-flinging) community to describe or express modifications/attachments that make blasters tacti-cooler or nerf-related products that are exceptionally tacti-cool. Popularized by retired but extremely respected Nerf Youtuber Coop772.

Is that a nerf landmine?? Holy tactics, Batman!

by oakeer August 21, 2024

Inadvertent Tacticle Barf

A tacticle barf that you don't initiate on purpose but actually comes at exactly the right time, such that you can continue drinking afterwards.

Rick is in the restroom. He wanted to take a dump but it turned into an inadvertent tacticle barf.

by tomsal June 15, 2024

Punk Tactics

Tactics used by punks to achieve a well deserved goal

“Hit you with the punk tactics”

by Mountain View January 31, 2026

Tillamook Tactical

When they want to put it in your butt, but they can't get it in because you ate too much cheese.

I knew she was Tillamook Tactical when I could not penetrate her brown-eye.

by TAINTMASTERX February 8, 2025

Gazpacho Tactics

1) When one is trying to describe "Gestapo Tactics", but is as clueless as WWII scholar and Holocaust historian Marjorie Taylor Greene.

2) A sarcastic comment on contemporary American policing tactics when they use ridiculously-excessive shows of force against non-existent threats to public safety.

3) Any comically-excessive intimidation tactic that's completely out of proportion to the threat. (if any)

Also see "Gazpacho Police"

Sending thirty cops to a Tesla dealership where nothing was happening was nothing but blatant Gazpacho Tactics and a waste of resources.

by Ed Cox March 18, 2025