this post was submitted on 27 May 2025
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Today I Learned

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I never realized there was a term to describe the low-effort phrases that people often use to get other people to shut up.

A thought-terminating cliché (also known as a semantic stop-sign, a thought-stopper, bumper sticker logic, or cliché thinking) is a form of loaded language—often passing as folk wisdom—intended to end an argument and quell cognitive dissonance with a cliché rather than a point.[1][2] Some such clichés are not inherently terminating, and only becomes so when used to intentionally dismiss, dissent, or justify fallacies.[3]

The term was popularized by Robert Jay Lifton in his 1961 book Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism, who referred to the use of the cliché, along with "loading the language", as "the language of non-thought".[4]

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[–] BenLeMan@lemmy.world 26 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (1 children)

Let's not forget the grand daddy of them all: The Lord works in mysterious ways.

Somewhat apropos I recommend watching Adam Curtis' take on what he calls Oh Dearism:

https://thoughtmaybe.com/oh-dearism/

[–] Etterra@discuss.online 7 points 3 days ago

It's God's fault unless the devil did it. Those idiots have an excuse for literally everything.

[–] vaultdweller013@sh.itjust.works 92 points 4 days ago (3 children)

You'll change your mind you are older.

Been hearing that one for over 15 years and it hasn't gotten any less wrong.

[–] cornshark@lemmy.world 33 points 4 days ago

The cliche probably seems pretty wrong now, but you'll change your mind when you're older

[–] SCmSTR@lemmy.blahaj.zone 10 points 3 days ago

My parents.

I realize now, that if an adult non-ironically says this, then it's likely they are the ones that will never learn.

[–] zqps@sh.itjust.works 27 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (5 children)

Used to get this all the time for over 10 years from a relative only 3 years older than me. We don't talk anymore.

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[–] misteloct@lemmy.dbzer0.com 39 points 4 days ago (1 children)
[–] Ceruleum@lemmy.wtf 7 points 3 days ago (1 children)

And don't call me Shirley.

[–] Klear@lemmy.world 6 points 3 days ago (1 children)
[–] Ceruleum@lemmy.wtf 5 points 3 days ago

Calm down Gandalf!

[–] los_chill@programming.dev 13 points 3 days ago (3 children)

I'd like a list of self-forgiving-for-being-a-piece-of-shit phrases. Example: "I just tell it like it is", "tough but fair", etc.

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[–] 200ok@lemmy.world 147 points 5 days ago (11 children)
[–] 667@lemmy.radio 82 points 5 days ago (8 children)
[–] NocturnalMorning@lemmy.world 49 points 5 days ago

I hate you for putting this poison out into the land.

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[–] spankmonkey@lemmy.world 45 points 5 days ago (12 children)

Things always happen for a reason.

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[–] JackFrostNCola@aussie.zone 4 points 3 days ago

I use this one myself, but only as a statement of a fact that i cant change, not to just dismiss thing us dint want to deal with.

For example: a co-worker complaining about something going wrong on a project and at some point i have to say 'it is what it is' (or something of similar effect) and say that as much as that sucks, its out of our control and we need to deal with finding a solution because bitching aint gunna make the problem un-fuck itself.

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[–] cabron_offsets@lemmy.world 117 points 5 days ago (1 children)
[–] Ep1cFac3pa1m@lemmy.world 53 points 5 days ago (4 children)
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[–] stringere@sh.itjust.works 32 points 4 days ago

Bless your heart.

[–] Vathsade@lemmy.ca 62 points 5 days ago
[–] roofuskit@lemmy.world 78 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) (10 children)

So it goes. C'est la Vie (Such is life).

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[–] massacre@lemmy.world 10 points 3 days ago

So say we all.

[–] decended_being@midwest.social 43 points 4 days ago (3 children)
[–] seliaste@lemmy.blahaj.zone 5 points 3 days ago

I hate this one sooo much

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[–] qevlarr@lemmy.world 36 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (1 children)

Here's an example: "Israel has a right to defend itself"

[–] some_designer_dude@lemmy.world 12 points 4 days ago (9 children)
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[–] tgpe@lemmy.today 57 points 5 days ago (1 children)
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[–] Venus_Ziegenfalle@feddit.org 53 points 5 days ago

Damn that's crazy

[–] ParadoxSeahorse@lemmy.world 41 points 5 days ago

Agree to disagree

[–] klay@lemm.ee 17 points 4 days ago
[–] MushuChupacabra@lemmy.world 42 points 5 days ago (1 children)
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[–] jagged_circle@feddit.nl 26 points 4 days ago

That's just, like, your opinion, man.

[–] jerkface@lemmy.ca 40 points 5 days ago

What can you do.

[–] Kolanaki@pawb.social 38 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Personal favorite: "Just shut up, man."

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[–] KeenFlame@feddit.nu 8 points 4 days ago (3 children)
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[–] Underwaterbob@lemm.ee 21 points 4 days ago

That's nice.

[–] Vanilla_PuddinFudge 13 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Epstein didn't kill himself

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[–] J52@lemmy.nz 6 points 3 days ago

Come back again when you have less time.

[–] Godric@lemmy.world 27 points 5 days ago (3 children)

"Let people enjoy things." – purports that criticisms to consumable media are attempts to prevent consumers from enjoying said media.

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