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spectatorism

A term common to Scientology jargon, and used famously by Tom Cruise in an interview to describe the apathy of people unwilling to commit to said doctrine - which he views as synonymous with helping the world.

Somewhat ironically, following the sentence in which Cruise uses the term - which is not in any formal dictionary, and could easily be supplanted by the use of a word such as "spectating" - he proceeds to discuss the responsibility Scientologists have "to educate."
"That thing is uh...I've cancelled that in my...area. It's like, 'man, you're either in or you're out'. That spectatorism. And it's something that is...that we have no time for right now." - Tom Cruise on spectatorism

"I'd like to take a vacation...but, uh...I can't because...I know." - Tom Cruise on Scientology
by The Thought-Fox February 22, 2008
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spectater

Bob really knows his TV shows – he's quite the spectater.
by Erik Boissonneault December 11, 2011
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spectater

Someone who watches a spud-related activity.
One of my favorite foods is fried potatoes, but I also enjoy being a spectater as they're being sizzlingly simmered; that gives me almost as much pleasure as I experience from actually eating them after they're all cooked 'n' crispy.
by QuacksO March 18, 2022
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Text-spectating

the urge to receive a text back after sending one to someone
Text-spectating is essential if you want him to fall over for you. I left him on read so that he would be text-spectating and now we've been dating for six months.
by Michael Fox September 13, 2018
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pro spectate

people at sporting events that are able to participate or want to but only watch,
pro spectate: hey are you racing your car today? no I'm pro spectating,
by master-debater May 8, 2013
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Spectator Syndrome

Spectator Syndrome is when you do nothing with your life.

You just spectate other people and kind of take it day by day.

Days and days go by and not much has changed.

You talk about the things you want to achieve and dream of, but don't actually take opportunities or seek change.

You live on "some day isle"

Some day I'll do this..

Some day I'll do that..
Person 1: I started going to the gym, you should come with me.

Person 2: Yeah, some day I'll come, not now, I'm a bit busy now.

*1 year later*

Person 1: I'm starting a business, why don't you start a business?

Person 2: Yeah I actually want to start a business, I was telling my brother about that the other day, hopefully I'll start soon.

Person 1: You know what? I think you're suffering from Spectator Syndrome.

Person 2: What?! No I don't!
by FALQA July 29, 2024
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Spectator's Jinx

The phenomenon where something absolutely refuses to work until someone else looks at it.
After hours of trying to reset my laptop, I finally took it to IT and suddenly it works; must be Spectator's Jinx!
by Chartreuse_Chocolate November 24, 2021
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