coincidence theorist en · NOUN
Pronunciation
- /koʊ̯ˈɪnsədəns ˌθiː.əɹɪst/ (General-American)
- /kəʊ̯ˈɪnsɪdəns ˌθɪ.əɹɪst/ (UK)
Etymology
From coincidence + theorist.
Meanings
-
(derogatory) Someone who rejects the claims of conspiracy theories, believing that any observations or occurrences are just coincidences.
Perhaps they are spoiled for choice: at all events a temperate belief in ‘coincidence theory’ has become almost mandatory in respectable circles. And the commonest thing said: by vulgar coincidence theorists in reply to vulgar conspiracy theorists is: ‘There is no smoking gun.’
1993, Christopher Hitchens, “Where Were You Standing?”, in For the Sake of Argument: Essays and Minority Reports, London: Verso, published 1994, →ISBN, page 11:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| coincidence theorists | Number=Plur | lexicographic |