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

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

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

you don't even know me 

The default response used by someone who is confronted with a truth about themselves that they would rather not face.

This phrase is commonly used by addicts, those with low self esteem and just about anyone else whose biggest fear is that someone else will notice their problem and offer to help.

Using this phrase successfully pushes away anyone wanting to help, and the user ironically ensures that indeed, nobody will ever know them.

In another ironic twist, if someone you know well says this phrase to you, then it means either:

1) they've been lying to you about who they really are (in which case it's their own fault that you don't know them), or

2) they have suddenly and fundamentally changed in the few seconds prior to telling you that you don't know them (in which case they also don't know themselves).

However, the case is usually that they're unobservant, self-absorbed, don't like that you were so easily able to identify their issues and resent the fact that they are unable to pay attention to anything long enough to 'know' it. They assume that everyone else is like this too, which is why they seem so shocked when uttering this phrase.

"I think you've been ignoring your family and you should spend more time with them."
"You don't even know me!"

"I think your drinking is negatively affecting your performance at work."
"You don't even know me!"

"I think you should take a shower because you stink."
"You don't even know me!"

you don't even know me by Jerk Nowitzki April 10, 2008

don't cha know 

A Minnesota pharse that can be put into any sentence and still make perfect sense to another Minnesotan. In reality, these three words (two actually real words) are completely pointless, but nessicary to speak Minnesotan fluently (See also could be worse, you betcha.

I went to the store today, don't cha know. ~ Don't cha know, he was one of those liberal fellas. Crazy as hell, don't cha know. ~ I'm stuck in traffic again, don't cha know. (Please, you get the idea)

don't cha know by Aaron Bartholomew Poxleitner October 2, 2005

all in the Kool Aid and don't even know the flava 

(adjective) referring to one who is spreading gossip of a false nature or a clueless individual.

Lotoya be ALL UP IN THE KOOL AID AND DON'T EVEN KNOW THE FLAVOR!

all in the Kool Aid and don't even know the flava by Fangsta April 29, 2003

Don't Cha Know 

Common phrase at the end of sentences used by people from Minnesota and Wisconsin. Can be used in almost any sentence. If you go to the south and say this everyone will think you're Canadian.

I went fishing on the boat yesterday Don't Cha Know?

Don't Cha Know by Weskonsin August 24, 2014