Fallacies of Distortion Vocabulary

misrepresenting an argument to make it easier to attack

“You want better gun laws? So you want to ban all guns!—a straw man.”

Origin: From attacking a scarecrow instead of a real opponent

strengthening an opponent's argument before refuting it

“The strongest version of your point would be... but even that fails because...”

Origin: The opposite of straw man—building up rather than distorting

changing the criteria for proof after they're met

“Show me evidence. Okay, but show me MORE evidence. Still not enough...”

Origin: From literally moving goal posts during a game

applying standards to others that you exempt yourself from

“Rules are rules—except when they inconvenience me.”

Origin: From legal pleading for special treatment

selecting only evidence that supports your conclusion

“Nine studies disagree, but this one supports me—cherry picking.”

Origin: From selecting only the best cherries while ignoring the rest

distorting meaning by removing surrounding context

“He said 'I hate'—but the full quote was 'I hate when people misquote me.'”

Origin: From taking quotes out of their original context

retreating to a defensible claim when challenged, then advancing again

“Making a bold claim, defending a modest one, then acting as if the bold claim stands.”

Origin: From medieval castle defense—retreating to the motte (tower) when the bailey (courtyard) is attacked