Non Sequitur

lit. “it does not follow”

A statement, conclusion, or response that doesn't follow logically from what came before.

Origin

From Latin non sequitur ('it does not follow'). In formal logic, it names any conclusion that isn't supported by its premises. In ordinary English the term has broadened to mean any abrupt, unrelated comment that comes out of nowhere in conversation. Wiley Miller's syndicated comic strip Non Sequitur (1992–) cemented the everyday sense.

Modern usage

Used in two distinct ways. Logically: 'his conclusion is a non sequitur.' Conversationally: 'she dropped a complete non sequitur about her cat.' Comedy writers love non sequiturs as a humor technique — the unrelated punchline.

In the wild

Asked about taxes, he answered about windsurfing — total non sequitur.— common usage

Strawman

Misrepresenting someone's argument as a weaker, easier-to-attack version of itself, then defeating that version instead of the actual claim.

phrase

Latin Phrases

Ipso Facto

'By the very fact' — used to point out that one thing automatically entails another, with no further argument needed.

phrase

Latin Phrases

Reductio ad Absurdum

An argument that disproves a claim by showing it leads logically to an absurd or contradictory conclusion.

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