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.
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.
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.
by PineappleJane February 9, 2017
"Look, I just don't care if the Holocaust refers specifically to the murder of the Ashkenazi Jews or if it can be used more broadly to the Nazi's persecution of other minorities!"
"Wow, stop being so anti-semantic! This is important."
"Wow, stop being so anti-semantic! This is important."
by therichardstill September 5, 2009
When a text (anything with words, whether it be spoken or written) has a topic or subject that a group of words relate to. If a passage of writing included the words
"heart", "flower", "love", "music", "passion" the semantic field would most likely be considered 'love'. A semantic field of love. Also the lexis may be referred to as "flowery" or even femnine
"heart", "flower", "love", "music", "passion" the semantic field would most likely be considered 'love'. A semantic field of love. Also the lexis may be referred to as "flowery" or even femnine
by A speaker's curtain November 2, 2006
Semantic error (also known as logic error) is a... SUPER GOOD BL AND NOVEL AND ANIMATION LIKE ITS SUPER MOTHERFUCKING GOOD LIKE THE ART IS SUPER PRETTY wait no. OUT OF THIS WORLD PRETTY, THE STORY IS THE TROUPE ENEMIES TO LOVERS BUT IT ISNT THE BASIC TYPE WHERE THEY END UP BEING FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS OH NO MAN THEY FORM A GOOD RELATIONSHIP (well a relationship where sane sangwoo wants to report him to the police but he doesnt break a law and the other one wants him to remember him cause hes big bad simp) AND THE SEASON 2 WILL BE OUT SOON SO CHECK IT OUT ON MANTA!
Woah I just saw a hot guy named jang jaeyoung from a bl recommendation on tiktok, sauce pls.
Ooh, nice choice. He's from semantic error, basically my reason for life and drugs i snort.
Ooh, nice choice. He's from semantic error, basically my reason for life and drugs i snort.
by koror June 21, 2021
That moment when you repeat a word many times to the point it has no meaning and it feels odd to pronounce it.
by Interius July 16, 2021
An annoying, ultra-PC individual who likes to correct others if they use identity-first language instead of person-first language.
Commonly found in discussion forums on social media.
Commonly found in discussion forums on social media.
Person A: "I am Autistic."
Person B: "Ermergerd, no you're not!!! You HAVE autism!!"
Person A: "Do YOU have Autism?"
Person B: "No."
Person A: "Then respectfully fuck off about how I self-identify."
Fucking semantics warriors..
Identity-first person-first semantics SJW social justice warrior keyboard warriorpolitical correctnessmansplaining autism parent autism momableismableist
Person B: "Ermergerd, no you're not!!! You HAVE autism!!"
Person A: "Do YOU have Autism?"
Person B: "No."
Person A: "Then respectfully fuck off about how I self-identify."
Fucking semantics warriors..
Identity-first person-first semantics SJW social justice warrior keyboard warriorpolitical correctnessmansplaining autism parent autism momableismableist
by Utinni Yubnub March 14, 2016
v. Exploring the depths of the meaning of a word or phrase in order to tenuously defend a friend or client. A form of legalese.
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When the rumours of sexual assault began circulating the press agent put on both his game face and his lighted helmet before engaging in some pretty tricky semantic spelunking.
by gnostic3 November 22, 2019