Wikithinking

The distinct form of groupthink that emerges from Wikipedia's core policies and the social dynamics of its editor community. It enforces a consensus-driven, citation-obsessed, and conflict-averse mindset where controversial truths are smoothed over, dissenting voices are overwhelmed by procedural arguments, and the "Neutral Point of View" (NPOV) morphs into a bias for the bland, established, and non-committal. Wikithinking values process over substance, reliable sourcing over first-hand expertise, and the avoidance of "edit wars" over the rigorous pursuit of accuracy, often producing articles that are meticulously referenced but intellectually sterile.

Example: The Wikipedia article on a contentious political figure undergoes intense Wikithinking. Editors relentlessly revert any strongly worded critique, even with solid sources, labeling it "POV pushing." They replace it with milquetoast phrasing like "has been criticized by some" and balance it with a trivial positive claim. The result is a text that is "neutral" in process but functionally sanitized, protecting the subject's reputation through the tyranny of procedural consensus.

Wikithinking by Dumuabzu February 5, 2026

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Wikilinking

The term used to describe the art of swinging from hyperlink to hyperlink within Wikipedia obtaining truly random and often useless facts about literally anything in the world. Reserved for the insatiable curiosity of digital drifters.

John: I was wikilinking yesterday starting with "Galaxy" and within a few minutes ended up on "Twerking"
Jane: Get a life or go sleep on the couch

Wikilinking by TripleA87 September 20, 2013

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Related Words

Wikithinking

Fleg

The word 'flag' as pronounced by people with thick Belfast accents. The term is a perfect encapsulation of the disproportionate and overblown reaction to the removal of the Union Jack (as in 'de fleg') from above City Hall in Belfast. Where previously it had flown for 365 days per year, it is now flown on 17 designated days of the year - in line with many other British cities.

The event caused a portion of the Protestant community ('fleggers') to make international pricks of themselves as they proceeded to wreck the fucking place, claiming it was another erosion of a 'British' identity they perceive to have been under attack since the horrifying spectre of equality reared its head in Northern Ireland.

The word 'fleg' - and indeed 'fleggers' - fittingly describes a section of humanity unconcerned with knowledge, reality or the vagaries of the English language. Like America's tea-baggers they are ruled by instinct, fear and paranoia with a side dish of rampant bigotry and startling ignorance of the world around them.

"Wat de fuck like! The taigs got de fleg took down! Let's wreck de fuckin place! No surrender!"

"De fleg has been took down! Before ye know it there'll be a united Ireland! Attack Short Strand! God Save The Queen!"

Fleg by OnionFleg August 9, 2013

Word of the Day on July 18, 2026

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Skeef

To take something small, that doesn't quite qualify as a theft. Probably from the Danish "skæv" or the Dutch "scheef", both of which are pronounced similarly, meaning "askew, or not quite right'. To change an item's ownership without permission, but only something small and of little worth.

"I skeefed an apple off the neighbor's tree." "I skeefed some chips outta your bag when you looked away." "Don't skeef my chair when I go to the bathroom."

Skeef by kachinaflonk July 16, 2026

Word of the Day on July 17, 2026

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Hair spider

A tight, tangled knot of loose hair and lint that forms inside clothing during the clothes dryer cycle. It typically hides inside garments, causing an annoying lump or a phantom tickling sensation against the skin until it is found or falls out onto the floor during folding.

I was folding my clothes and a huge hair spider fell out onto my hand

Hair spider by Kmorsels July 15, 2026

Word of the Day on July 16, 2026

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bullshot

n. A screenshot fabricated by a company to misrepresent the graphics of a game; a combination of the words bullshit and screenshot.

Originated from Penny Arcade, a popular gaming webcomic.

-Have you seen Madden 2006 for the Xbox 360? The graphics are gonna be awesome!
-Dude, the Madden 2006 images they showed at E3 were bullshots. It doesn't look nearly as good as they said.

bullshot by Worker Unit #503,298,545 September 26, 2005

Word of the Day on July 15, 2026

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Gayborhood

N. A neighborhood containing homes, clubs, bars, restaurants, and other places of business and entertainment that cater to homosexuals.

"They've opened up a new club in the Gayborhood called the Male Box."

Gayborhood by Mia Shields January 6, 2006

Word of the Day on July 14, 2026

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