# Logical Query **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 10, 2016, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/logical-query/768122 "2016-10-10T02:11:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2016, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/logical-query/768122/1 "2016-10-10T02:11:22Z")
So what is it called when someone spouts accusatory comments toward another by making unverifiable statements so as to denigrate the other person in the eyes of everyone watching, when such comments are patently false? ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2016, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/logical-query/768122/2 "2016-10-10T02:12:13Z")
Innuendo? ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2016, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/logical-query/768122/3 "2016-10-10T02:18:31Z")
Got it! Thanks! Brain fart tonight. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2016, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/logical-query/768122/4 "2016-10-10T02:40:33Z")
But innuendo is not a logical fallacy, and innuendo can suggest things that are actually true. The distinguishing feature of innuendo is that is a veiled suggestion or insinuation of something negative. Making a false accusation is not a logical fallacy, it’s simply a lie. It is a rhetorical device though I don’t know if there is a formal name for it. It might possibly be _tapinosis_. ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2016, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/logical-query/768122/5 "2016-10-10T03:22:39Z")
Other than the false statements being unverfiable, it sounds like slander. ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2016, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/logical-query/768122/6 "2016-10-10T07:25:42Z")
> [@Duckster](#): > > So what is it called when someone spouts accusatory comments toward another by making unverifiable statements so as to denigrate the other person in the eyes of everyone watching, when such comments are patently false? Just false ad-hominem attacks. The sad thing is they work. ---
**Author:** ![GoodOmens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@GoodOmens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GoodOmens)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2016, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/logical-query/768122/7 "2016-10-10T13:04:04Z")
Definitely ad hominem, sometimes with a taste of argumentum ad baculum (if threats are involved). Sometimes this is a lead-in to the argumentum ad populum…“all these people think you’re dishonest, so you must be!” ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2016, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/logical-query/768122/8 "2016-10-10T14:46:45Z")
The ad hominem fallacy is an attack on a person to discredit an argument he’s making. If he’s making no argument - if the attack is intended only to damage his reputation - then it’s something else. ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2016, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/logical-query/768122/9 "2016-10-10T19:35:35Z")
Attempt at the creation of a horn or halo for horn and halo effect?