# what is this term?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-term/551356>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [August 25, 2010, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-term/551356 "2010-08-25T02:13:34Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 10\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![NadaHappyCamper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/278dde/32.png) [@NadaHappyCamper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NadaHappyCamper)\
**Post date:** [August 25, 2010, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-term/551356/1 "2010-08-25T02:13:34Z")

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Is there a specific term to define the process of engaging a fellow employee in a conversation with the sole purpose to elicit a detrimental or disparaging remark?

NadaHappyCamper

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**Author:** ![Looey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ee7513/32.png) [@Looey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Looey)\
**Post date:** [August 25, 2010, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-term/551356/2 "2010-08-25T02:16:48Z")

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Fishing for detriments?

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**Author:** ![Sycorax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a4c791/32.png) [@Sycorax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sycorax)\
**Post date:** [August 25, 2010, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-term/551356/3 "2010-08-25T02:29:30Z")

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Yes. Gossip.

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**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\
**Post date:** [August 25, 2010, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-term/551356/4 "2010-08-25T02:30:24Z")

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Leading the Mark On.

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**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\
**Post date:** [August 25, 2010, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-term/551356/5 "2010-08-25T02:45:11Z")

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Exit interview.

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**Author:** ![NadaHappyCamper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/278dde/32.png) [@NadaHappyCamper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NadaHappyCamper)\
**Post date:** [August 25, 2010, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-term/551356/6 "2010-08-25T02:47:40Z")

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Gosip, sounds kind of innocent. Let me rephrase, one person baiting another person to entice them into making a statement that can then be reported to management in order to gain favor. I am trying to write a report, and I was hopeing there was a technical term that I could use.

Fishing for detriments Thanks,the rythem doesn’t work for me.  
Baiting the Mark Thanks,possible  
NadaHappyCamper

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**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 25, 2010, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-term/551356/7 "2010-08-25T02:48:01Z")

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strewing landmines

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\
**Post date:** [August 25, 2010, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-term/551356/8 "2010-08-25T02:53:17Z")

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> [@NadaHappyCamper](#):
>
> Gosip, sounds kind of innocent. Let me rephrase, one person baiting another pe  
> Baiting the Mark Thanks,possible  
> NadaHappyCamper

Speaking with Management, using Appropriate Deference:  
“Sir, he was Baiting the Mark.”  
Perfect.  
🙂

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\
**Post date:** [August 25, 2010, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-term/551356/9 "2010-08-25T02:54:56Z")

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> [@NadaHappyCamper](#):
>
> Gosip, sounds kind of innocent. Let me rephrase, one person baiting another person to entice them into making a statement that can then be reported to management in order to gain favor. I am trying to write a report, and I was hopeing there was a technical term that I could use.

Seriously this time, I think what you’re looking for is “entrapment.”

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**Author:** ![NadaHappyCamper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/278dde/32.png) [@NadaHappyCamper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NadaHappyCamper)\
**Post date:** [August 25, 2010, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-term/551356/10 "2010-08-25T02:59:14Z")

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Yes, thank you . Entrapment will do nicely.  
NadaHappyCamper