Skip to main content

beg the question

Share definition
From the Latin, petitio principii: to assert the truth of an unproven premise in the conclusion of an argument. Sometimes the unproven issue follows in the form of an indirect question.
John: "Legalization should not happen, because no one in their right minds would allow that to be legal!"
If John were to say this, his argument would beg the question, namely whether legalization is justified.
by Steve Killen October 27, 2006
Flag
mugGet the beg the question mug.

Bigging the question

Share definition
In a press conference, when a reporter is called on to ask a question, and instead of asking one question, asks three to five more questions so quickly that the politician on camera can't stop her while remaining polite.
President: Ellen, your question?
Ellen: Yes, Mister President, what do you plan to do about North Korea and do you foresee good news on the economic forefront and what is the status in Afghanistan and are you really considering getting two more dogs and do you think the White Sox will win the pennant this year?
President (still smiling politely): Well, Ellen, I suppose that could be considered bigging the question.
by bethie horton mcjenniejane January 17, 2009
Flag
mugGet the Bigging the question mug.
The 'offical' name for the game in which two people play normally while flirting to "get to know each other better." The rules depend on the players and are usually made up as the game goes along, but the basic jist is that the players take turns asking questions and you can't lie. The questions are usually sexual in nature and the game is a tool used to measure the person's skanky-ness.
Mark: Want to play the question game?
Jess: Sure.
Mark: So...how far have you gone?
ect ect ect
by raydar April 16, 2006
Flag
mugGet the the question game mug.
the official proposal of marriage
See: pop the question
James, i don't know if I'm ready to answer the question yet. I mean I love you, but this is a long-term commitment.
by pythonspam November 7, 2003
Flag
mugGet the The Question mug.
usually instated by the male of a relationship and also has to do with extreme nervousness and fear of rejection

1. "will you go out with me?"
2. "will you marry me?"
3. "you're pregnant, arent you!?" in this case a fear of affirmation
is he ever going to ask me the question?
by mizz hunni June 28, 2003
Flag
mugGet the the question mug.

beg the question

Share definition
Phrase that is now used instead of "raises the question" due to the fact that the true definition is unintelligible to most people, and has little to do with an actual question.

Best not to use it at all, as you will either sound ignorant to geeks, or geeky to regular people.
Common (wrong) usage:
That really begs the question, why did she do it?

Geek (right) usage:
I'm cooler than you, because you aren't as cool as me.
- beg the question -
by xanderak November 19, 2011
Flag
mugGet the beg the question mug.
Anytime the subject of the conversion obviates the need to ask the full version question
Context / Full test of The Question

People who used to live in Utah: "So you a mormon?"
Girlfriend with long term boyfriend: "Will you marry me?"
New Relationships: "How may men you been with?"
Tall guys: "You play basketball?"
Shaquille O'Neill: "So how big IS your penis?"
High School Female Gym Teacher: "So you're gay right?"
Mensa members: "So if you are so damn smart why aren't you rich?"
For women about new boyfriends: "So is my dick bigger or smaller than most dudes you been with?"
For women with big boobs: "They real?" or alternatively "Why don't you just stuff your bra?"
For old women that live alone: "So how many cats do YOU have?"
For old men that live alone "So is that smell BO, farts, mildew, or what exactly?"
For fat ladies: "When you due?"
For fat men: "so can you actually SEE your penis without a mirror?" or alternately "Do you have to wipe your ass with a rag on a stick?"
by snausages333 October 23, 2006
Flag
mugGet the The Question mug.