# Name that fallacy (alternative word definitions) **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 17, 2021, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-that-fallacy-alternative-word-definitions/938100 "2021-03-17T16:46:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2021, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-that-fallacy-alternative-word-definitions/938100/1 "2021-03-17T16:46:33Z")
Is there a official logical fallacy that covers equating two or more alternative meanings or connotations of the same word in an argument to reach a faulty conclusion? Examples: Animals aren’t allowed in the hosptial Humans are animals, (not plants) Therefore humans are not allowed in the hospital Criminals should be locked up for the good of society. Entering the country without documentation is a crime Therefore people who enter the country without documentation should be locked up for the good of society. ---
**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:** [March 17, 2021, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-that-fallacy-alternative-word-definitions/938100/2 "2021-03-17T17:26:24Z")
> **[Equivocation](https://www.logicallyfallacious.com/cgi-bin/uy/webpages.cgi?%2Flogicalfallacies%2FEquivocation)** > > Using an ambiguous term in more than one sense, thus making an argument misleading. ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2021, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-that-fallacy-alternative-word-definitions/938100/3 "2021-03-17T17:27:30Z")
And done in one. Thanks ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2021, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-that-fallacy-alternative-word-definitions/938100/4 "2021-03-17T22:05:07Z")
My favorite example of this: A crust of bread is better than nothing. Nothing is better than true love. Therefore, a crust of bread is better than true love. ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2021, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-that-fallacy-alternative-word-definitions/938100/5 "2021-03-18T11:02:51Z")
A baby is not worth two cents. Proof: A baby is a crier. A crier is a messenger. A messenger is one sent. One cent is not worth two cents. Therefore, a baby is not worth two cents. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2021, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-that-fallacy-alternative-word-definitions/938100/6 "2021-03-18T15:08:33Z")
Some dogs have fuzzy ears. My dog has fuzzy ears. Therefore, my dog is _some dog_! ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2021, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-that-fallacy-alternative-word-definitions/938100/7 "2021-03-18T19:54:14Z")
> [@bibliophage](#): > > A baby is not worth two cents. Assertion: A beehive is a rotten potato. Proof: A beehive is a bee-holder. A beholder is a spectator. A specked tater is a rotten potato. Assertion: A piece of paper is a lazy dog. Proof: A piece of paper is an ink-lined plane. An inclined plane is a slope up. A slow pup is a lazy dog. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2021, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-that-fallacy-alternative-word-definitions/938100/8 "2021-03-20T16:45:58Z")
12-year-old Roger, 10-year-old Floyd, and 7-year-old Dale are brothers. Of Roger’s 2 brothers, Floyd is the older one. Of Dale’s 2 brothers, Floyd is the younger one. So, Floyd is his older brother’s older brother. Floyd is also his younger brother’s younger brother.