Sweeping Argument

An argument that attempts to cover too much ground with too few specifics, using grand, universal language to condemn or endorse huge categories of things (e.g., "all government," "modern art," "that generation"). It sacrifices precision for rhetorical force.

Example: "Her sweeping argument was exhausting: 'Everything in popular culture is a manufactured commodity designed to pacify the proletariat!' Movies, music, memes—it was all swept into one giant, simplistic critique, leaving no room for nuance, exception, or joy."

by AbzuInExile January 31, 2026

General Argument

The standard, commonly encountered argument form that follows a recognizable structure (claim, evidence, conclusion) about a general subject. It’s the workhorse of debates, essays, and everyday persuasion when done competently.

Example: "He presented a general argument for exercise: it improves cardiovascular health (evidence: these studies), boosts mood (evidence: these surveys), and increases lifespan (evidence: this meta-analysis). It was straightforward, evidence-based, and effective."

by AbzuInExile January 31, 2026

Special Argument

An argument designed for a unique, narrow, or highly technical context, often relying on jargon, specific legal precedents, or intricate details unknown to a general audience. It can be perfectly valid within its sphere but incomprehensible or irrelevant outside of it.

Example: "The lawyers spent hours on a special argument about the jurisdictional precedent under the maritime law of the 18th century as it applied to a digital asset transaction. It was critically important to the case and utter gibberish to anyone else in the courtroom."

by AbzuInExile January 31, 2026

Bending Argument

Crafting an argument that, while perhaps containing true premises, uses rhetorical sleight-of-hand, emotional manipulation, or procedural tricks to guide the listener to an unwarranted conclusion. It's an argument built like a funhouse mirror—the components are real, but the overall reflection is a distorted version of reality. This includes shifting burden of proof, using loaded questions, or appealing to irrelevant authority.

Example: "The lawyer bent the argument for the jury: 'My client is a family man, a volunteer, a patriot. The prosecution wants you to believe this pillar of the community suddenly became a criminal. Can you live with that doubt?' He bent the argument away from evidence and toward a narrative about the prosecution's character." Bending Argument

by AbzuInExile January 31, 2026

Perfect Argument Fallacy

The mistaken belief that only arguments that are flawless in every respect—logically valid, empirically supported, rhetorically perfect, immune to all objections—deserve consideration. This fallacy rejects all human communication as insufficiently perfect, leaving only silence. The perfect argument fallacy is beloved of those who don't want to engage, who use impossible standards to dismiss any position they dislike. It's the logic of "your argument isn't perfect, therefore I don't have to consider it." The cure is recognizing that perfection is not the standard; adequacy is. Arguments are tools for understanding, not museum pieces for aesthetic evaluation.

Perfect Argument Fallacy Example: "He demanded her argument be perfect—no logical gaps, no empirical uncertainties, no rhetorical flaws. She pointed out that no argument meets that standard, including his own. He said that proved her argument was weak. The perfect argument fallacy had made dialogue impossible. She stopped talking; he declared victory."

by Abzugal Nammugal Enkigal February 17, 2026

Non Argument

The type of bickering where if you respond to it like its an argument both participants will deny it like "we're not fighting/arguing"

A: "I just don't understand why you like beans so much its stupid as fuck"
B: "Well you liking pickles is dumber I don't know why you're talkin"
C: "Yo can we chill out it's just food lmao"
A&B: "We are chill it's not an argument"
C: "Yeah sure, just another non argument huh"

by Merthod March 2, 2026

Fashionable Genital Garment

When one wears one's olsentwins as a tasteful and eyecatching headpiece.

Seb: Ugh, it's raining again.
James: shit, forgot my umbrella.
Seb: Yeah me too. You bring your olsentwins?
James: Never leave pure without em.

James depants and stretches his olsentwins over his head*
Seb: Wow. Quite the fashionable genital garment you have there.
James: Thanks. It was my mothers.

by Burritobaby April 2, 2015