Skip to main content

Preemptive-"ism"

A logical fallacy where claiming something is an "ism" (i.e. racism or sexism, etc) because a person(A) is part of a specific group and not because of specific comments or actions from person(B) towards that person(A).

Related to both "appeal to emotion" and "ad hominem" logical fallacies: By claiming "ism" one party appears as the victim (thus appealing to emotion) while smearing the other party negatively as racist, or sexist, or other (thus an ad hominem attack).
Jane: "Donald Trump interrupting Hillary Clinton during the debate is a sign of sexism."
Dan: "Why?"
Jane: "Well, because she's a woman."
Dan: "That's Preemptive-"ism", Jane."

Greg: "Obama's healthcare plan hasn't worked out too well for him."
Steven: "That's racist!"
Greg: "Why?"
Steven: "Because Obama is black!"
Greg: "That's Preemptive-"ism", Steven."
by Murderton October 31, 2016
mugGet the Preemptive-"ism" mug.

preemptive hangover

A preemptive hangover is when someone gets the sensation of the hangover they will get the next morning before they have started drinking.
"Woah I was out buying beers for tonight and I just got a preemptive hangover, feels like it's going to be a messy one."
by George W Roberts May 19, 2017
mugGet the preemptive hangover mug.

Preemptive Text

n. A text sent to a friend whom you are about to visit, alerting them prior to your arrival.
Phil - "Hey guys, we're about to go to Joe's house."
Zeek - "Does Joe know this, or are we just going to show up?"
Phil - "Yeah he knows. I sent him a preemptive text."

Jason - "Wanna' go to Steve's?"
Ralph - "Sure, but let him know or he won't answer the door."
Jason - "One preemptive text, coming up!"
by Stickboy142 August 16, 2011
mugGet the Preemptive Text mug.

preemptive like

Liking someone's post on Facebook so that they feel obligated to like your subsequent comment in return.

Do you think I'm proud of this? My life is a disaster.
1. You like John Doe's photo (preemptive like)
2. You: <possibly clever or funny comment>
3. John Doe likes your comment on their photo
4. A minor increase in self-esteem that quickly fades away
by Random Name Goes Here November 24, 2013
mugGet the preemptive like mug.

Preemptive Text

A text message that is sent to someone under the assumption that you know that they're going to text you. Commonly used with tech-deficient family members who take forever to answer text messages.
I sent a Preemptive Text to my mother to inform her that i was driving home, because I knew she was gonna ask where i was.
by Musculoso March 1, 2010
mugGet the Preemptive Text mug.

Preemptive cock-block

The act of preventing interaction between one or more females with one or more men prior to any communication between the two groups, thereby negating the need to cock-block them later on, after they have started making moves on the women.
A: Hey man, how were those girls that Johnny showed up with?
B: I don't know, he sat down at a different table, so I couldn't talk to any of them.
A: Ah, dude, that was like a preemptive cock-block.
by Swill128 June 21, 2009
mugGet the Preemptive cock-block mug.

preemptive driving

Overly-cautious driving after news of impending winter weather has been announced. Most frequently seen in southern United States urban areas.
Dude, would you please drive faster than 15 mph. The snow isn't due for another eight hours. Do not show me preemptive driving!
by memphotank February 26, 2011
mugGet the preemptive driving mug.

Share this definition

Sign in to vote

We'll email you a link to sign in instantly.

Or

Check your email

We sent a link to

Open your email