Dictionary

logic-chopping en · NOUN

Etymology

From the phrase chop logic, attested from the early 16th century . The element chop originally meant "to bandy, exchange" (as in chop logic, i.e., to exchange logical arguments) . Later chop was wrongly understood as "to cut, split" .

Meanings

1. (derogatory, uncountable) The practice of engaging in excessively subtle, pedantic, or specious argumentation; the use of overly fine or trivial distinctions in reasoning .
   • Let the Almighty step in and arrange things in a proper way. No more logic-chopping! 1931, Bhagat Singh, Why I am an Atheist:
   • Contemptuous logic-chopper "sophist, person who uses subtle distinctions in argument" . 1846, Merry England, page 234:

Forms

Relateds

chop-logic · logic-chopper

Synonyms

chop logic · casuistry · quibbling · sophistry