rhetorical fact

A piece of information, usually not true, that a person cites in order to win an argument.

I don't really know if 1.2% of marriages end in murder, it was just a rhetorical fact to shut bob up.

by thefj February 10, 2014

Rhetoric Beverage

Any beverage held in the hand of an executive while speaking to the common workers. The beverage is often lifted in the air while asking rhetorical questions & further prevents said executive from getting to the point of any discussion. Also quenches thirst prior to another round of rhetoric.

Man, the Vice President was really drinking the rhetoric beverage today – I sat there for 2 hours and do not know any more about the project than I did when I entered the room.

by Irresponsible Dresser November 17, 2011

rhetorical answer

An answer to a rhetorical question, what is asked to make a point, which is answered to make a point.

"Oh, please. Everyone's always on about the children. I've already tried leaving them alive, but all they do is grow up under my rule or dedicate their pathetic lives to revenge, usually both. Really, killing them is a kindness. I can retract that kindness if you wish. But then who's the villain?"
"Y- you."
"N- no, that was a rhetorical question."
"And I gave you a rhetorical answer."

by i can feel you slipping October 21, 2015

rhetorical answer

A response to a question that does not answer the question asked. Commonly used by busy mums with the sole purpose of annoying those asking the question.

Jack: what time will dinner be ready?
Paula: when its cooked.
Jack: stop it with those rhetorical answers! !

by jess12 May 27, 2014

rhetorical flourish

An oratory elaboration which exceeds the limits of what most people would describe as useful or informative, or which tangentially strays into the realm philosophical musings.

"Yo, your homie said you was in for some shenanigans."

"No man, that was just rhetorical flourish."

by 2dois2b February 27, 2009

rhetorical question

A question were the speaker does not expect an answer

Bob: Jim, why do you have to be such a dumb ass

Jim: well it all started in the summer of 1995 when...

Bob: That was a rhetorical question dumb ass

by I am feeling fat and sassy January 18, 2009

rhetorical dissonance

when someone doesn't take the default politically correct rhetorical position of their own stance in discussing a political issue. It leads to a false perception of cognitive dissonance by their audience, when in fact the person is abandoning rhetoric and examining the issue without rhetorical bias. It leads to an ally of a cause to be seen as the enemy for not falling in line with automatically assumed rhetorical positions.

When Bob argued the following, "I am a full supporter of gender equality. However, the SCUM Manifesto doesn't help the feminist cause. Many feminists become just as bad as chauvinists, when their responses to sexism become just as polemic," he was seen as criticizing feminism, creating rhetorical dissonance. Another example is the following: "Gay rights are very important, and they should be equal. That being said, the APA has established that orientation changes over a lifetime. The reality is that some people can and do choose to be gay, not that there's anything wrong with that."

by ideomotion October 21, 2010