But I Don't Know What This Term Means Fallacy

An inverted strawman where the person denies the applicability of a term by claiming ignorance of its meaning. The classic form: someone accused of racism says "you can't call me racist because I don't even know what racism means." The move uses claimed ignorance as a shield—if I don't know the term, the term can't apply to me. The fallacy lies in treating ignorance as innocence, not knowing as not being. But actions have meanings regardless of the actor's vocabulary. Not knowing what racism means doesn't mean your actions aren't racist; it just means you're ignorant, not innocent.

But I Don't Know What This Term Means Fallacy "I pointed out his pattern of discriminatory comments. Response: 'I don't even know what racism means, so you can't call me racist!' That's But I Don't Know What This Term Means Fallacy—using ignorance as a defense. Not knowing the word doesn't mean the behavior isn't real. Ignorance isn't innocence; it's just ignorance."

But I Don't Know What This Term Means Fallacy by Dumu The Void March 3, 2026

umm i uhh. i don't know. i forgot. umm wait 

i kinda forgot what to put... umm its something funny but uhh... hm. this is tricky. i know it but its kinda hard.. uhm... uhh.

uhh. i forgot the example. uhh i think it was guy1 saying something.. well, its probably nothing... but like umm i uhh. i don't know. i forgot. umm wait

umm i uhh. i don't know. i forgot. umm wait by ligmasigma August 27, 2025

Well, I don't know, I mean... Maybe if you bought him a gun... 

Oh yeah! Look at that! That was a pretty quick 180! Pretty spry for an older gal! But what if you antagonized him into it? What if you antagonized him into doing the child murder, Megyn? Then what? Would you be liable then? Is it a hard-line on "buying him a gun?" Or would that apply too? I mean, I'm not a sycophant or anything but I think antagonizing the guy into doing the child murder is kind of "buying him a gun" adjacent, don't you think?

A shit-head "Well, I don't know, I mean... Maybe if you bought him a gun..."

Hym "What about antagonizing the child murder into doing the child murder? I don't know, I mean, maybe follow him around for years... Mirror the delusions of reference that are commonly associated with schizophrenia, except, deliberately... When he presses you on it you just double down and keep doing it... Is THAT equivalent, Megyn Kelly? Is that kind of like buying the guy a gun or is that not as bad? Are you liable then?"

Well, I don't know, I mean... Maybe if you bought him a gun... by Hym Iam February 26, 2024

Liquor? I don't even know her!

A tired old gag line to say whenever someone says the word 'liquor'.

Drinkin' Man 1: "Hey, let's go get some liquor!"
Drinkin' Man 2: "Liquor? I don't even know her!"

Liquor? I don't even know her! by Figleaf23 September 18, 2007

i don't fucking know

An angry expression of ignorance generally used in response to a specific inquiry.

- How do you think the cat got up there?
- I don't fucking know!

i don't fucking know by FuckIfIKnow November 26, 2013

I don't even know 

A phrase used when one either: (1) Does not know what is going on, (2) does not know what just happened, (3) does not know the answer to a question, (4) or simply would like to break the silence.

Usually, when said phrase is used, it is followed by a near-endless spree of other quotes such as:

1.) Psh, I don't even know.
2.) Aw hail naw.
3.) Aw hail naw, cracka.
4.) Mmm hmmmm!

The phrase "I don't even know" is best used in the classic "I don't even know" speaking tone, which may only be properly "voiced" by either a colossal, Japanese monster, a small cat/kitten, or a constantly hyper-active younger brother.

"Matt, why aren't you talking?"
"Psh, I don't even know!"

I don't even know by I Gojira I November 21, 2007

I don't fucking know why I writing this shit no more 

so I am all out of words and so little fucking ideas tighten my mind desperately

Kidnapper ask for candy: I don't fucking know why I writing this shit no more,, take candy

I don't fucking know why I writing this shit no more by bitchdipshit February 20, 2021