A way of using words where their meaning is intentionally unclear or flexible, so the speaker can later choose the definition that benefits them most. If people agree, they claim the strong meaning; if people disagree, they switch to a softer or different meaning. The word’s meaning is only “decided” after seeing the reaction.
Person 1: That presentation you did was… interesting.
Person 2: Interesting as in good, or interesting as in bad?
Person 1: I mean, interesting.
Person 2: Be honest.
Person 1: Okay fine, it was confusing.
Person 2: Wow. You just said interesting.
Person 1: Yeah, interesting confusing.
Person 2: That’s not what interesting means.
Person 1: It does now.
Person 2: So when it’s good, interesting means good, and when it’s bad, it means confusing?
Person 1: Exactly.
Person 2: That’s literally Schrödinger's Dictionary
Person 2: Interesting as in good, or interesting as in bad?
Person 1: I mean, interesting.
Person 2: Be honest.
Person 1: Okay fine, it was confusing.
Person 2: Wow. You just said interesting.
Person 1: Yeah, interesting confusing.
Person 2: That’s not what interesting means.
Person 1: It does now.
Person 2: So when it’s good, interesting means good, and when it’s bad, it means confusing?
Person 1: Exactly.
Person 2: That’s literally Schrödinger's Dictionary
by Schrödinger'sNextOfKin March 28, 2026
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