# Can we have a dictionary, please? {about sealioning} **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 20, 2022, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-have-a-dictionary-please-about-sealioning/964793 "2022-05-20T20:33:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Turki-lurki](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/turki-lurki/32/7168_2.png) [@Turki-lurki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turki-lurki)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-have-a-dictionary-please-about-sealioning/964793/1 "2022-05-20T20:33:03Z")
I am old. I do not know young people. I live under a rock most of the time, I admit it. But what the hell is meant by " You appear to be a Sealioning Troll"? Is there an equivalent phrase in conventional English? Asking for a friend. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-have-a-dictionary-please-about-sealioning/964793/2 "2022-05-20T20:35:49Z")
According to Urban Dictionary: > **[Urban Dictionary: Sealioning](https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Sealioning)** > > A subtle form of trolling involving "bad-faith" questions. You disingenuously frame your conversation as a sincere request to be enlightened, placing the burden of educating you entirely on the other party. If your bait is successful, the other party... ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-have-a-dictionary-please-about-sealioning/964793/3 "2022-05-20T20:39:50Z")
[It’s named after this comic.](http://wondermark.com/c/2014-09-19-1062sea.png) ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-have-a-dictionary-please-about-sealioning/964793/4 "2022-05-20T20:41:49Z")
I never knew that, I learned the term here on the Dope. @Turki-lurki, can I change your title to include “about sealioning” ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-have-a-dictionary-please-about-sealioning/964793/5 "2022-05-20T20:43:34Z")
If there are other terms that don’t make sense, we can try to help with those too. (ETA: Your avatar is **awesome**.) ---
**Author:** ![Turki-lurki](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/turki-lurki/32/7168_2.png) [@Turki-lurki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turki-lurki)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-have-a-dictionary-please-about-sealioning/964793/6 "2022-05-20T20:44:44Z")
Please do. Urban Dictionary is going on my reference list… ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-have-a-dictionary-please-about-sealioning/964793/7 "2022-05-20T20:57:57Z")
I thought you meant from “guest” to “about sealioning” . . . I are sadderest now… ---
**Author:** ![GreysonCarlisle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-have-a-dictionary-please-about-sealioning/964793/8 "2022-05-20T21:02:22Z")
That would be awesome. Maybe just for a day, OP willing? ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-have-a-dictionary-please-about-sealioning/964793/9 "2022-05-20T21:25:52Z")
> [@Johnny\_Bravo](#): > > [It’s named after this comic.](http://wondermark.com/c/2014-09-19-1062sea.png) The comic was based on complaints Southern California residents had about sea lions taking over coastal towns. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/kz72plhD1RM/maxresdefault.jpg "Growing Sea Lion Population a Nuisance for Some Port Town Residents") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kz72plhD1RM) ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-have-a-dictionary-please-about-sealioning/964793/10 "2022-05-20T21:31:02Z")
OP, I wouldn’t focus too much on the original comic strip after which the behavior is named - the point it’s trying to make is pretty opaque. [What is Sealioning?: A Type of Trolling | Merriam-Webster](https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/sealioning-internet-trolling) > _Sealioning_ refers to the disingenuous action by a commenter of making an ostensible effort to engage in sincere and serious civil debate, usually by asking persistent questions of the other commenter. These questions are phrased in a way that may come off as an effort to learn and engage with the subject at hand, but are really intended to erode the goodwill of the person to whom they are replying, to get them to appear impatient or to lash out, and therefore come off as unreasonable. And if you’re really interested, there’s a long prior thread here, but in terms of the basic definitions already given here I don’t think it adds much. [Sealioning](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sealioning/841837) ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-have-a-dictionary-please-about-sealioning/964793/11 "2022-05-20T21:51:29Z")
I have added the term to the SDMB glossary of terms. > [@Beginner's Guide to Glossary of Terms on Straight Dope Message Boards](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beginners-guide-to-glossary-of-terms-on-straight-dope-message-boards/307442): > > There are a number of terms commonly used on the Straight Dope Message Boards, that are basically “in-jokes” or references. There are several threads listing such, I have tried to compile them all into one post here. If anyone has additions or corrections, please email me – I’m going to keep this locked, so it doesn’t become too long and rambling, but remains fairly focused and easy to use. I have taken these descriptions from various threads and posts by various members. This thread isn’t upda… For those who may not be aware, there is a link to this glossary in the FAQ section of the Registration Agreement, Rules and FAQ post sticked at the top of this forum. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2022, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-have-a-dictionary-please-about-sealioning/964793/12 "2022-05-21T01:20:14Z")
The Dope is the only place Ive seen the word gormless. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.E](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.e/32/8932_2.png) [@Mr.E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.E)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2022, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-have-a-dictionary-please-about-sealioning/964793/13 "2022-05-21T01:23:30Z")
So would you say The Dope is the most gormful place you’ve ever visted? ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2022, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-have-a-dictionary-please-about-sealioning/964793/14 "2022-05-21T01:27:17Z")
Yes​:+1:🤸‍♂️ ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2022, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-have-a-dictionary-please-about-sealioning/964793/15 "2022-05-21T03:24:46Z")
Here in Oregon, down on the coast, there is a tourist attraction known as the Sea Lion Cave. It’s just that, a huge sea cave that affords a lot of shelter from the weather and the sea lions live there in their multitudes. You pay to go through a turnstile in the gift shop, meander down a scenic paved path and end up ducking through a rock passageway to get to a kind of mezzanine level above the area where the sea lions are going about their sea lion business. You watch them for a while, then you climb back up the path and there you are. Exit through the gift shop, please. Thing is though that once you are hanging above the regular daily life of the sea lion you are struck by two things–the absolutely deafening din of thousands of quarrelsome fat blobs screaming at each other, which they do more or less constantly and also by a nearly physically palpable wave of stench from the thousands of screaming shitting fat blobs below. They’re cute, aside from the humongous bulls, but dayum after a visit to the Sea Lion Cave you have a brand new appreciation for the incredible aptness of the term “sealioning” to describe those who are not arguing in good faith. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2022, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-have-a-dictionary-please-about-sealioning/964793/16 "2022-05-21T03:32:01Z")
> [@SmartAleq](#): > > {…} the absolutely deafening din of thousands of quarrelsome fat blobs screaming at each other, which they do more or less constantly and also by a nearly physically palpable wave of stench from the thousands of screaming shitting fat blobs below {…} Pardon me, I couldn’t help but ~~overhear~~ read… I would like to have a civil conversation about your statement. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2022, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-have-a-dictionary-please-about-sealioning/964793/17 "2022-05-21T04:05:17Z")
Y’know, they brought in a well known animal psychic to decode what the sea lions were screaming and oddly enough that’s EXACTLY what they’re saying. Uncanny! ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2022, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-have-a-dictionary-please-about-sealioning/964793/18 "2022-05-21T04:18:34Z")
We had a poster here who shall not be named that was banned several years ago or so. He was well acquainted with the board rules and was an expert at sea-lioning, managing to be both annoying and disruptive while almost always staying on the right side of the rules and always posting with a veneer of affected civility. I believe that the first time the term “sea-lioning” was used here was when an astute mod called him out specifically for this behaviour. It was an inspired judgment call and eventually rid us of a major annoyance. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2022, 10:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-have-a-dictionary-please-about-sealioning/964793/19 "2022-05-21T10:41:38Z")
> [@SmartAleq](#): > > after a visit to the Sea Lion Cave you have a brand new appreciation for the incredible aptness of the term “sealioning” to describe those who are not arguing in good faith. On the stench front, you will find the same if you ever visit a penguin colony like the ones in Cape Town. Yet “penguining” isn’t catching on. I suspect it’s that the tuxedos make them look classier. ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2022, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-have-a-dictionary-please-about-sealioning/964793/20 "2022-05-21T11:32:01Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > OP, I wouldn’t focus too much on the original comic strip after which the behavior is named - the point it’s trying to make is pretty opaque. Agreed. In the original comic, I always thought the sealion was actually being pretty reasonable at first - the two people are talking shit about him, and instead of justifying their position when called out on it, they refuse to address it as if that gives them the moral high ground. I mean, obviously the sealion shouldn’t be in their house (but that’s also part of the joke) but it’s hard to see the sealion as unilaterally the bad guy here when the person saying “I don’t like sealions” can’t (or won’t) come up with something as simple as “A sealion bit my sister once” or something as justification for that. The term the comic spawned ( “Sealioning” to mean "arguing in bad faith while ‘just asking questions’) is quite handy, though. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-have-a-dictionary-please-about-sealioning/964793.md?page=2)