A distinction without a difference is a type of logical fallacy where an author or speaker attempts to describe a distinction between two things where no discernible difference exists.[1] It is particularly used when a word or phrase has connotations associated with it that one party to an argument prefers to avoid.
Examples
- "I did not lie; I merely stretched the truth a little bit."[2]
- From the film This Is Spinal Tap:[3]
- Marty: "The last time Tap toured America, they were, uh, booked into 10,000-seat arenas, and 15,000-seat venues, and it seems that now, on their current tour they're being booked into 1,200-seat arenas, 1,500-seat arenas, and uh I was just wondering, does this mean uh...the popularity of the group is waning?"
- Ian: "Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no...no, no, not at all. I, I, I just think that the... uh... their appeal is becoming more selective."
See also
- Distancing language
- Euphemism
- Spin (propaganda)
References
- ^ Martinich, A. P. (1996). Philosophical Writing: An Introduction. Blackwell Publishing. p. 99.
- ^ Royal, Brandon (2013). The Little Blue Reasoning Book: 50 Powerful Principles for Clear and Effective Thinking. Maven Publishing. p. 178. ISBN 1897393601.
- ^ "This Is Spinal Tap quotes". Movie Quote DB.