# There needs to be a new word **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 4, 2025, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-needs-to-be-a-new-word/1021689 "2025-08-04T14:20:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![ricepad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@ricepad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricepad)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2025, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-needs-to-be-a-new-word/1021689/41 "2025-08-04T17:52:38Z")
I disagree that there needs to be a word. It took me a long time to internalize this sage advice: You don’t have to participate in every argument to which you’re invited. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2025, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-needs-to-be-a-new-word/1021689/42 "2025-08-04T17:54:57Z")
> [@xtenkfarpl](#): > > But do you really think there could conceivably be a riposte so devatasting that it would leave them gasping like a gaffed fish? Nope. I think calling them out as liars right from the start is the best way to go. All that other stuff you bring up? Just another “It doesn’t completely do the job instantly in a spectacular manner, so it shouldn’t be done at all” excuse to do nothing. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2025, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-needs-to-be-a-new-word/1021689/43 "2025-08-04T18:07:13Z")
There’s a meme for this. I don’t think you’ll ever find a single, good word for the concept. > **[Big thumb guy](https://imgflip.com/i/a26c65)** > > An image tagged big thumb guy ---
**Author:** ![xtenkfarpl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c2a13f/32.png) [@xtenkfarpl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xtenkfarpl)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2025, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-needs-to-be-a-new-word/1021689/44 "2025-08-04T18:32:20Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > I think calling them out as liars right from the start is the best way to go That may make you feel good. But what effect does it have in the overall scheme of things? I recall the Washington quote: “Government is not eloquence. It is not reason. It is Force”. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2025, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-needs-to-be-a-new-word/1021689/45 "2025-08-04T18:39:22Z")
And your solution is…? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2025, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-needs-to-be-a-new-word/1021689/46 "2025-08-04T18:45:14Z")
> [@xtenkfarpl](#): > > I recall the Washington quote: “Government is not eloquence. It is not reason. It is Force”. Walk away from a battle, and see what happens. ---
**Author:** ![xtenkfarpl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c2a13f/32.png) [@xtenkfarpl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xtenkfarpl)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2025, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-needs-to-be-a-new-word/1021689/47 "2025-08-04T18:49:24Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Walk away from a battle, and see what happens. Back at you: _your_ ‘solution’ is? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2025, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-needs-to-be-a-new-word/1021689/48 "2025-08-04T18:52:00Z")
WTF?? I gave my response, so no “back at you”. If what I propose doesn’t do it for you, what does? ---
**Author:** ![xtenkfarpl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c2a13f/32.png) [@xtenkfarpl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xtenkfarpl)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2025, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-needs-to-be-a-new-word/1021689/49 "2025-08-04T18:59:18Z")
If you want to engage in political debate on message boards or other forums, it’s your prerogative. I just don’t think it achieves anything. Let’s drop this. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2025, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-needs-to-be-a-new-word/1021689/50 "2025-08-04T19:01:37Z")
“No, _that_ ain’t it either.” Gotcha. ---
**Author:** ![xtenkfarpl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c2a13f/32.png) [@xtenkfarpl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xtenkfarpl)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2025, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-needs-to-be-a-new-word/1021689/51 "2025-08-04T19:08:16Z")
I have no idea what you are quoting. I think I’m done with this thread, it doesn’t seem to be going anywhere useful. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2025, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-needs-to-be-a-new-word/1021689/52 "2025-08-04T19:34:16Z")
Douglas Adams would have assigned a British place name. How about: “You don’t want a debate, you just want to [Largue](http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?x=364208&y=841685&z=120&sv=largue&st=3&tl=Map+of+Largue,+Aberdeenshire+%5BTown%5D&searchp=ids&mapp=map)” “This is just [Talkin Fell](http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?x=357500&y=556500&z=120&sv=Talkin+Fell&st=6&mapp=map&searchp=ids)” “This is just [Talke Pits](http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?x=382500&y=352500&z=120&sv=Talke+pits&st=6&mapp=map&searchp=ids)” ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2025, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-needs-to-be-a-new-word/1021689/53 "2025-08-04T19:37:30Z")
No, he’s an early stage boomer. A fifties guy as opposed to a sixties guy. ---
**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:** [August 4, 2025, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-needs-to-be-a-new-word/1021689/54 "2025-08-04T19:45:27Z")
Extremely early boomer, late silent generation by six months. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2025, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-needs-to-be-a-new-word/1021689/55 "2025-08-04T23:06:00Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Insult them directly, then. _Start_ with “That is a lie, and that makes you a liar because you have been told the truth and ignored it” and immediately put them on the defensive. They are depending on you to try to be reasonable and listen to their side-do NOT give in to this. Exactly. I prefer “Well, then, you’re an idiot.” But calling them a liar is admittedly more direct. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2025, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-needs-to-be-a-new-word/1021689/56 "2025-08-04T23:22:22Z")
The ASL sign for “Done” always works for me, to shut down some argument I’m not gonna deal with. Both hands spread fingers, hand forward you and turn the hands facing outward with a push-out if you’re really serious. And walk away. Stops all arguments. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2025, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-needs-to-be-a-new-word/1021689/57 "2025-08-05T02:32:49Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Because that is what it will take to alter the course of politics in this country. Shouting louder and louder has been the only Democratic strategy for the past 8+ years. Do you really think the problem is that they _still_ aren’t shouting loud enough? ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2025, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-needs-to-be-a-new-word/1021689/58 "2025-08-05T16:00:13Z")
> [@Unintentionally\_Blank](#): > > There isn’t a good, short, word that says ‘I’m not going to engage with you because there’ll be no resolution….quite possibly because you [aren’t interested in changing your mind | aren’t interested in leaving trumpland | intentionally drawing things out to own the libs | distracing attention away from the Epstein files | some other disingenuous reason] Perhaps not the actual words so much as the tone of voice, but “Yeah, right” could fit in quite neatly. Or indeed “Whatever….” ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2025, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-needs-to-be-a-new-word/1021689/59 "2025-08-05T17:31:41Z")
In Thomas Berger’s _Little Big Man_, when the Cheyenne had tired of someone’s oratory they’d say “I have heard you.” Similar to de Gaulle’s “Je vous ai compris,” which translates to "I have understood you,” said to the French Algerians right before he abandoned them. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2025, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-needs-to-be-a-new-word/1021689/60 "2025-08-05T20:00:19Z")
That was of course why he abandoned them: he had indeed understood them. Reminds me of Clem Attlee (the immediately post-WW2 prime minister) who was famously terse, and replied to one letter from a bunch of discontented MPs urging him to resign, with “Thank you for your letter - contents duly noted”. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-needs-to-be-a-new-word/1021689.md?page=2)