An inverted strawman where the person denies the applicability of a term by claiming ignorance of its meaning. The classic form: someone accused of racism says "you can't call me racist because I don't even know what racism means." The move uses claimed ignorance as a shield—if I don't know the term, the term can't apply to me. The fallacy lies in treating ignorance as innocence, not knowing as not being. But actions have meanings regardless of the actor's vocabulary. Not knowing what racism means doesn't mean your actions aren't racist; it just means you're ignorant, not innocent.
But I Don't Know What This Term Means Fallacy "I pointed out his pattern of discriminatory comments. Response: 'I don't even know what racism means, so you can't call me racist!' That's But I Don't Know What This Term Means Fallacy—using ignorance as a defense. Not knowing the word doesn't mean the behavior isn't real. Ignorance isn't innocence; it's just ignorance."
by Dumu The Void March 3, 2026
Get the But I Don't Know What This Term Means Fallacy mug.by .03.4.3.0.ehayusalulA.3.4.3.0. July 23, 2025
Get the .9.I do not know who needs to sense anything but when you do, I am going to kill you.9. mug.Related Words
i know but • I know you are but what am I? • I know I am but what are you? • I Don't Know But… • Gregory, do you see that small vent on the floor? Have you heard Among Us, Gregory? You need to vent. I know it will be hard for you to be sus but I know you can do it Gregory. • I know you're asleep but • I know it's not in you head but YOU can't KNOW that • I know you are, but what am I? • I Don't Know How But They Found Me • i don't know why but the voices are there to haunt me in the night eternally leaving only the thought of regression of self through the creation of fantasy to cope with reality
by 456AtabavA343 June 6, 2025
Get the <.7.9.7.6.>I Do Not Know What I Did To Deserve This But I will Kill YOu <.7.9.7.6.> mug.The act of roasting physics teachers and messaging the whole sixth form about why attending a banter fest during a global pandemic is an inadvisable thing to do.
Physics teacher: Hey guys I organised a banter fest for you next Monday. It'll be really fun!
Sensible person: There is a global pandemic going on and you’re worried about a banter fest. I’m definitely not going to attend, don’t know about the rest of you, but I care about my life
Physics teacher: Oh I'm sorry I didn't...
Sensible person: There is a global pandemic going on and you’re worried about a banter fest. I’m definitely not going to attend, don’t know about the rest of you, but I care about my life
Physics teacher: *Leaves school to go live in a remote Siberian village*
Sensible person: There is a global pandemic going on and you’re worried about a banter fest. I’m definitely not going to attend, don’t know about the rest of you, but I care about my life
Physics teacher: Oh I'm sorry I didn't...
Sensible person: There is a global pandemic going on and you’re worried about a banter fest. I’m definitely not going to attend, don’t know about the rest of you, but I care about my life
Physics teacher: *Leaves school to go live in a remote Siberian village*
by discordmyiscord August 13, 2020
Get the There is a global pandemic going on and you’re worried about a banter fest. I’m definitely not going to attend, don’t know about the rest of you, but I care about my life mug.descriptive noun: The butthole who always insists on having the last word, regardless of the validity of his arguement. Will insist the earth is flat, even as he sails over the horizon.
He's such an Iknowbutt! I told him he'd electrocute himself with the hairdryer in the bathtub, but he just said, "I know, but if I am really careful, I can just paralyze myself and get a big settlement from the hairdryer company."
by Chellabella October 28, 2007
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