chop logic

alternative chop-logic · alternative choplogic

1. not comparablesometimes hyphenatedCharacterized by equivocation or by overly complex or specious argumentation; improperly reasoned.

   Many of the jokes are far past saving and a good bit of the chop logic word play is tedious word work.

   1974 July 1, T. E. Kalem, “Bard Becalmed”, in Time

   Synonyms: choplogical, illogical

plural chop logics · alternative chop-logic · alternative choplogic

1. uncountablesometimes hyphenatedChopped logic: reasoning which is improper; sophistry.

   Mere chop-logic!—you have nothing to say.

   1881, Georg Ebers, chapter 4, in The Emperor

   2 more examples

   "Up in his ivory tower, the editor of the Times will at last realize that the American people will not be bulldozed, regimented and stripped of their suffrage by fine phrases, chop logic, invitations to the millennium, and the jaded ambitions of indispensable men."

   1944 November 13, “Moses' Masterpiece”, in Time

   How can one explain the hypocrisy, chop logic and outright lying now being mustered daily in defence of hunting with hounds?

   2000 December 28, David McKie, “Special report: the hunting debate”, in The Guardian, retrieved 06 Jun 2008

2. countableobsoleteusually hyphenatedA logic chopper: one who makes confusing or specious arguments, especially arguments involving equivocation.

   How now, how now, chop-logic! What is this? 'Proud,' and 'I thank you,' and 'I thank you not;' And yet 'not proud,' mistress minion, you, Thank me no thankings, nor, proud me no prouds, But fettle your fine joints 'gainst Thursday next.

   c. 1591–1595 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Romeo and Ivliet”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene v]

present singular third person chops logic · participle present chopping logic · participle past chopped logic · past chopped logic · alternative chop-logic · alternative choplogic

1. obsoleteTo talk back, bandy words; to argue generally.

   Vngracious childe I warrant him, harke how hee chops logicke with his mother

   1607 (first performance), [Francis Beaumont], The Knight of the Burning Pestle, London: […] [Nicholas Okes] for Walter Burre, […], published 1613, →OCLC, Act I, signature C3, recto

2. To argue skillfully, using complex logic or clever reasoning.

   King James delighted to chop logic and theology with the doctors of the university.

   1905, "Andrew Lang's Charming Sketches of the English University" (review of Oxford by Andrew Lang), New York Times, 1 Dec.

   2 more examples

   When the tables are drawn, you shall hold a disputation with him. It will be sport to hear how you chop logic at your Universities yonder.

   1869, Charlotte M. Yonge, chapter 17, in The Caged Lion

   Throughout, Lynch ably chops logic and tests positions for their fit with the Constitution's text.

   2000, Charles A. Lofgren, “Review of Negotiating the Constitution: The Earliest Debates over Original Intent by Joseph. M. Lynch,”, in The Journal of American History, volume 87, number 3, page 1018

3. To make an argument which is illogical, especially one which is overly complex or which improperly uses fine or clever distinctions; to equivocate.

   If you are going to chop logic and use Latin words, I think it is time for us to leave the room.

   1866, Elizabeth Gaskell, chapter 24, in Wives and Daughters

   2 more examples

   Varro, as Kent remarks (p. 418, n.f), is by no means logical in every detail; he merely chops logic when he declares that curro lacks the perfect participle.

   1940, J. Whatmough, “Review of Varro on the Latin Language: With an English Translation by Roland G. Kent,”, in Classical Philology, volume 35, number 1, page 85

   After the authors have chopped logic, ignored pages, and nibbled at words, the fact remains that the Commission in the Cement case did describe a structure of private government organized to protect an economic security system against hostile groups.

   1949, Earl Latham, “Lament for Cement: Being an Answer to a Reply,”, in The Yale Law Journal, volume 58, number 7, page 1089