fact·splain | \ ˈfact-ˌsplān
factsplained; factsplaining
Definition of factsplain
transitive + intransitive
: the uninvited and condescending effort of a third party (usually, though not always, on social media platforms) to offer extraneous information (“context”) or further explanation on a given subject/topic, while invariably posing itself as objectively factual, despite its content and purpose invariably being the promotion or defense of a partisan (progressive,
leftist) idea, premise, value, cause, figure, etc.
It is often characterized by cloaking subjective opinions and partisan perspectives amidst the excessive use of officious-sounding terms and declarations such as “Ruling” “Context” “Evidence” “Credible” “Finding” “Determination” “Conclusion” “Result”, etc. or
may strive to confirm or deny information on the basis of mere nuance,
minor technicalities, irrelevancies, or other specious rationale.
In both form and content, factsplaining attempts to discredit the original information, although rarely if ever actually doing so, and its presence therefore
may best be understood as a strong indicator of the original content’s accuracy or veracity.
Prominent factsplainers: Factcheck, Politifact, Snopes, Reuters, AP
See also: bias,
propaganda, spin,
gaslighting, censorship, partisanship
