Skip to main content
Urban Dictionary Merch
Your favorite words on things you can wear, drink from, read, or give to a friend.
The Urban Dictionary Store sells gifts you’ll have to explain.

arguing semantics 

When people argue about the definition or meaning of a word. This usually starts in the middle of an argument and distracts from the main topic of the argument. Whether done intentionally or not depends on the people arguing.

When an argument deteriorates and its focus becomes one about word definitions rather than the main topic, a person will usually say "Oh, now we're just arguing semantics". Usually by this point, the arguement has become a waste of time because it has morphed into a bunch of bickering about irrelevant, unimportant details rather than the original main point.

If someone accuses you of arguing semantics, they're usually accusing you of intentionally avoiding the topic. In this case, the person may or may not be misusing the phrase in order to do so. If you're not actually arguing about word definitions, then they should accuse you of being nit-picky instead (as that would be more accurate) but to explain it to this degree becomes a bit nit-picky in and of itself and so for obvious reasons, this is the end.
Jenny: Hey Tommy, did you do your homework?
Tommy: I would never do my homework.
Jenny: What do you mean? You always do your homework!
Tommy: No, I would never "do" my homework - that would be gross. But if you want to know if I completed my homework...
Jenny: Oh, please. Spare me. Now you're just arguing semantics.
arguing semantics by PineappleJane February 9, 2017

Arguing with a shampoo bottle 

When arguing with someone and the other party distracts the topic by resorting to appeals of emotion, belief and other logical fallacies.
The conversation gets caught in a loop. As it reads on the back of a shampoo bottle at the end of the instructions...rinse and repeat.
"X must exist. I just saw a poll that says 90% of all Americans believe in X."

"99% of everyone once thought the world was flat. They had no evidence and were proven wrong by people who sought the truth."

"X must exist! If X did not exist, then the world would be a horrible place!"

"You'll be able to move on. Its only in your mind that X influences your life."

"I acknowledge that I have no argument for the existence of X. However, I have a great desire for X to exist. Therefore I accept that X exists."

"This is like arguing with a shampoo bottle. You're stuck in a loop of rinse and repeat."

Asgusting 

How an uneducated, generally sub-par IQ person pronounces the word disgusting.
Those fried twinkies were asgusting!
Asgusting by B166ER June 18, 2011
Arguing is when typically two people have different beliefs and take turns asserting what the truth really is.
John believed that flowers die once uprooted and cast in a fire but Jane asserted that they simply evolve to a new form of existence so they began adding their supporting evidence to each other for hours and rumor has it they are still arguing to this very moment.

Why Are You Arguing About Nuggam And Sluggam 

it means that the Noah bugger is talking to Ethan booger that is burning 1 braincell when he thinks Ay*a is doing the nuggam walk.
why are you arguing about nuggam and sluggam (name here)!?

deflective arguing 

This is when somebody argues by DEFLECTING anything said against them.

They will NEVER address any issues brought against them or their point but will instantly bring something else up to change the subject

Deflective racists use this tactic whenever a situation/fact is brought up that goes against there beliefs

People do this because they know damn well if they try to address the issue or stay relevant to it, there entire argument will get derailed
deflective arguing
More from Urban Dictionary

briefcake 

"Did you check out the briefcake in courtroom C?"
briefcake by Ben Frey April 6, 2006
Word of the Day on November 3, 2026
Brought to public attention by Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein in the book on the fall of Richard Nixon, All The President’s Men, ratfucker was Nixon’s term for a political operative who sows chaos among opponents; an agent provocateur. It is thought to have originated among campus political rivalries at USC, and seems to have some usage in the US military.
Along with Nixon’s other ratfuckers, Roger Stone caused fights at otherwise peaceful Democratic Party protests to generate a false narrative that the Democrats were violent and dangerous.
Ratfucker by Ricky Ramjet November 2, 2017
Word of the Day on November 2, 2026

countrypolitan 

Term used to describe someone who is a mix of both rural (country) and urban (metropolitan) lifestyles/upbringings. He/she is typically equally comfortable in both settings and is able to seamlessly slip back and forth between the two, appreciating the characteristics of each.
That ol' gal of mine drives the 12 lane freeway during the week and a John Deere on the weekends. She likes opra and the Grand Ol' Opry. I love them countrypolitan women.
countrypolitan by MOChick November 7, 2006
Word of the Day on November 1, 2026

Witch Bath 

A bath consisting of a variety of slats, oils, soaps or any other added ingredients such as fruits, milks, herbs or any other spices for health or beautifying benifits.
She brought home alot of stuff and took it to the bathroom. She must be taking a witch bath.
Witch Bath by carnieboy30 October 26, 2020
Word of the Day on October 31, 2026

kinktober 

An excuse for people to write porn with different types of kinks throughout the month of October.

Smut Fanfiction
That chick doesn't write often but when she does, its for Kinktober.
kinktober by Kinkiest July 12, 2018
Word of the Day on October 30, 2026

proper lad 

a lad that is such a lad that he is a proper lad
person1:did you see bob
person2: ya he was a proper lad
Word of the Day on October 29, 2026
Load more