empty semantics

An insult derived from an irrelevant but pithy-sounding technical term. Combining the perjorative and jargon terms feigns a deep, smart reason for refusing to shed ignorance.

James felt fearful and unaccustomed to using his own mind and habitually ceased his thinking at the perimeter of his peer group's established belief system. When someone posted an article with ideas threatening its gossamer bonds, his instinct for conservation drove him to cry, "Empty semantics!"

by facebook_is_the_best November 6, 2017

semantic

1. a number that just increases every time someone does something, because doing things properly is hard.

Ive just made a code change. I expect semantic versioning to automatically increment, because bumping a version up (0.0.1 -> 0.0.2) by 1 is hard.

by anonymous April 20, 2023

Semantic Fidelity

When words still carry their original meaning instead of getting twisted by algorithms, brands, or culture. The opposite of when “authentic” somehow means staged. High semantic fidelity = language actually says what it means.

“Bro, that ad copy has zero semantic fidelity. It’s like reading a chatbot trained on vibes.”

by GuyWhoWritesDefinitions September 4, 2025

Semantic Solipsism

In Philosophy A term, developed by Palestinian Professor Mohammad Tarshihi; used to describe the reality of knowledge of terms incorporated only by the self. Wherein, any linguistic property developed by one's self renders a universal truth value.

Semantic Solipsism explains why I can't differentiate between predictable and expected.

by IonicBondzzzz April 3, 2021

semantic regime change

When the meaning of words shifts so drastically that reality itself starts to feel like a glitch. Usually driven by cultural agendas, internet discourse, or corporate rebranding.

Examples:

"First, 'disruption' meant innovation—now it means getting laid off. Another semantic regime change, baby."

"Remember when 'outside' meant nature and not just…vibes? Total semantic regime change."

See also: gaslighting, linguistic coup, reality distortion field

by atalaocean March 17, 2025