An argument, or a type of guarantee that the outcome of your statement can be taken in two or more ways which will benefit you in either way it’s perceived. The *careful* use of semantics can be applied to situations which allow you to be right in any reverse query. You’re basically using their own ignorance against them. See example...
“I put up an ad on craigslist and used your picture.” This could mean the person used a picture that the other party has taken of them, or they used a picture of the other party. The answer has been concealed within semantics and incomplete phrasing.
by Seanus Unaes February 26, 2018
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Often misused when quibbling about something someone said. In that context, the statement "That's only semantics" would be more aptly phrased as "You're just 'splitting hairs on word meanings."
Often misused when quibbling about something someone said. In that context, the statement "That's only semantics" would be more aptly phrased as "You're just 'splitting hairs on word meanings."
Often used within the phrase "That's only semantics":
-- as a blanket repudiation of precise communication.
-- by persons advocating 'subjective feelings' over 'objective description' as a mainstay of communication.
The very concept of semantics is frequently disparaged by wishy-washy passive-aggressives who refuse to be accountable for their careless use of language or their deplorable lack of education.
Skater-boy was too lazy to choose his words carefully, unaware that without semantics, even his street drivel would be incomprehensible.
-- as a blanket repudiation of precise communication.
-- by persons advocating 'subjective feelings' over 'objective description' as a mainstay of communication.
The very concept of semantics is frequently disparaged by wishy-washy passive-aggressives who refuse to be accountable for their careless use of language or their deplorable lack of education.
Skater-boy was too lazy to choose his words carefully, unaware that without semantics, even his street drivel would be incomprehensible.
by wclay1 September 1, 2009
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One who revels in the folly of semantic play and gets mildly to extremely aroused when hearing dangling modifiers, innuendos, past participles or phrases like: "eats, shoots and leaves."
A cunning linguist often gets semanticklish when his innuendo reveals a smaller than average dangling modifier.
by team grammatard February 15, 2010
Get the semanticklish mug.1. v. (eg. prostitutively semanticize) To throw around a term or concept until it loses all meaning.
2. n. Use of a term or concept so as to misrepresent oneself as embodying the concept or term. Phony auto-ennobling.
3. v. To attempt a meme-seed inception by repetition and amplification (usually through the distributive media).
4. n. Overuse or abuse of terms or concepts.
Most commonly used by politicians to forward a particular agenda or get a particular candidate elected. But also used quite heavily in religion.
Distinguishes itself from outright attention-whoring usually by its subtlety or its assumption of the self-evidence of the virtuosity of its terms or concepts.
2. n. Use of a term or concept so as to misrepresent oneself as embodying the concept or term. Phony auto-ennobling.
3. v. To attempt a meme-seed inception by repetition and amplification (usually through the distributive media).
4. n. Overuse or abuse of terms or concepts.
Most commonly used by politicians to forward a particular agenda or get a particular candidate elected. But also used quite heavily in religion.
Distinguishes itself from outright attention-whoring usually by its subtlety or its assumption of the self-evidence of the virtuosity of its terms or concepts.
Alex: Did you see that Tea Party rally? I have never seen such an obscene spectacle of prostitutive semanticization in my entire life.
Sarah: I know, right? I went to it as a gag and I didn't take away anything meaningful at all from it. The word 'freedom' was thrown around so much, I don't know what it means anymore! And all those references to Hitler! Why does everybody do that every time they encounter someone they don't like?
Sarah: I know, right? I went to it as a gag and I didn't take away anything meaningful at all from it. The word 'freedom' was thrown around so much, I don't know what it means anymore! And all those references to Hitler! Why does everybody do that every time they encounter someone they don't like?
by DEDC June 8, 2012
Get the prostitutive semanticization mug.My understanding of the term "semantics" is that words can be manipulated to influence human thought and action. Mr. George Orwell had a good grasp of the concept, for example "Newspeak". Please look up "semantics" in a dictionary for a more professional definition.
by Friend of Tell March 7, 2009
Get the semantics mug.Antics that lead to the release of semen. This usually involves the genius and mind control of a Deviant Gentleman in his ability to use antics that cause a pretty young lady to help him in the release of his semen.
The Deviant Gentleman used sementics and found that it was a great release from the pressure of the day.
He used the Ejaculate Consumption Theory in his sementics and she did indeed end up giving him a blow job.
He used the Ejaculate Consumption Theory in his sementics and she did indeed end up giving him a blow job.
by Bret Michaels January 8, 2008
Get the Sementics mug.Riley: "Barack Obama is Irish!"
MacDonagh: "Well, his great-great-grandfather was born in Ireland and emigrated to the US, but Obama himself was not born in Ireland, did not grow up in Ireland and has never lived in Ireland ... Does he have an Irish passport?"
Riley: "That's just semantics. Obama is Irish!"
MacDonagh: "Well, his great-great-grandfather was born in Ireland and emigrated to the US, but Obama himself was not born in Ireland, did not grow up in Ireland and has never lived in Ireland ... Does he have an Irish passport?"
Riley: "That's just semantics. Obama is Irish!"
by MacDonagh December 20, 2018
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