A thought-terminating cliché is a commonly used phrase, sometimes passing as folk wisdom,
used to quell cognitive dissonance. Though the phrase in and of itself may be valid in certain contexts, its application as a means of dismissing dissent or justifying fallacious logic is what makes it thought-terminating.
- "Whatever."
- "We will have to agree to disagree."
- "I'm just sayin'."
- "Such is life."
- "Think about it."
- "God works in mysterious ways."
- "Love it or leave it."
- "That's a conspiracy theory."
Many more examples at
Wikipedia.
"I'll pray for you."
ReplyDeleteSaying something is a 'thought-terminating cliche' is in itself, a thought-terminating cliche :o)
ReplyDeletePossibly the most redundant and pedantic of all:
ReplyDelete"It is what it is."
So there you have it.
ReplyDelete