When you're in a conversation and can't think of a word for something and struggle to find the right word or words, and your brain keeps coming up with the wrong words, just roll with it!
The Lexical-Redirect is, in the spirit of Cunningham's Law, the art of intentionally uttering the wrong word, knowing that simply by doing so, your brain will correct itself and think of the right word.
The Lexical-Redirect is, in the spirit of Cunningham's Law, the art of intentionally uttering the wrong word, knowing that simply by doing so, your brain will correct itself and think of the right word.
To another family member - "Hey, we're almost out of.. toothpick-earwigs... because, apparently Q-tips don't exist according to my brain."
Family member - "Nice Lexical-Redirect, I was scared for a moment that we had earwigs on toothpicks somewhere in our house."
Family member - "Nice Lexical-Redirect, I was scared for a moment that we had earwigs on toothpicks somewhere in our house."
by that dude with the hair March 5, 2024
Get the Lexical-Redirectmug. A compulsive need to flaunt obscure vocabulary, academic jargon, or convoluted phrasing to appear intellectually superior, often at the expense of clarity, relevance, or truth. Symptoms include correcting others mid-argument over minor semantics, mistaking verbosity for depth, and prioritizing pedantry over persuasion. Typically found in debates where ego outweighs logic and the dictionary becomes a weapon of distraction.
Lexical narcissism is the arrogant belief that you're the only one who understands how words work, the only one educated enough to define philosophy, science, or language itself. It’s not intelligence—it’s intellectual gatekeeping. They don’t argue to clarify. They argue to assert dominance through semantics, hoping you’ll concede out of exhaustion, not reason. It's elitism masquerading as literacy.
Lexical narcissism is the arrogant belief that you're the only one who understands how words work, the only one educated enough to define philosophy, science, or language itself. It’s not intelligence—it’s intellectual gatekeeping. They don’t argue to clarify. They argue to assert dominance through semantics, hoping you’ll concede out of exhaustion, not reason. It's elitism masquerading as literacy.
You: “Once considered obscure academic theory, Marxism has completely infected academia and the curriculum.”
Them: “Define Marxism.”
You: “Sure, I'll entertain your silly little lexical narcissism game: Economic collectivism based on class conflict—are you seriously asking me this?”
Them: “That’s not true Marxism.”
Them: “Define Marxism.”
You: “Sure, I'll entertain your silly little lexical narcissism game: Economic collectivism based on class conflict—are you seriously asking me this?”
Them: “That’s not true Marxism.”
by WTFX May 20, 2025
Get the Lexical Narcissismmug.