non sequitur
non sequitur
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling of "non sequitur" is:
/nɒnˈsɛkwɪtər/
Here's a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:
non: /nɒn/ (n-aw-n)
sequitur: /ˈsɛkwɪtər/ (seh-kwih-tuhr)
Word Form Variations
The word "non sequitur" doesn't have plural or singular forms. It's a single, uncountable noun that refers to a statement or idea that doesn't logically follow from what came before.
So, you would say:
"That's a non sequitur." (singular)
"His argument was full of non sequiturs." (plural)
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Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms
Word Class: Noun
Definition: A statement or idea that does not logically follow from the one before it.
Synonyms: illogical conclusion, irrelevancy, incongruity
Antonyms: logical conclusion, relevance, coherence
Example: "His argument was full of non sequiturs."
Note: While "non sequitur" is primarily used as a noun, it can occasionally be used as an adjective to describe something that is illogical or irrelevant.
Examples of Use
General Public Discourse
Everyday Conversation: "I was just talking about the weather, and you suddenly brought up your childhood pet? That's a bit of a non sequitur."
Political Debates: "The opponent's argument veered into a non sequitur about the economy, completely unrelated to the original topic of healthcare reform."
Literature and Academic Writing
Novels: In many novels, characters may use non sequiturs to highlight their eccentric nature or to create a surreal atmosphere. For example, in a Kafkaesque novel, a character might abruptly shift the topic of conversation from a mundane task to a philosophical dilemma.
Academic Papers: "The author's conclusion was a non sequitur, as it did not logically follow from the presented evidence." (Source: A peer-reviewed journal article)
Media and Entertainment
Comedy: Comedians often use non sequiturs to create humor. For instance, a stand-up comedian might joke, "I was going to get a haircut today, but then I realized I'm not a tree."
Television: In sitcoms, non sequiturs are often used for comedic effect. A character might respond to a serious question with a completely unrelated, often absurd, statement.
Movies: In surrealist or absurdist films, non sequiturs are common. For example, in a David Lynch film, a character might suddenly start singing an opera aria in the middle of a mundane conversation.
Online Platforms
Social Media: "That's a non sequitur, dude. We were talking about the new Star Wars movie, not your cat's litter box." (Source: A Reddit comment)
Online Forums: "Your argument is full of non sequiturs. Please stick to the topic at hand." (Source: A forum post on a tech website)
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10 Famous Quotes Using the term Non sequitur
"I like the sudden shock of non-sequitur color. Color, in fact, is my weakness." — Babe Paley
"Recently I labeled the argument that 18-year-olds were old enough to vote if they were old enough to fight a perfect example of a non sequitur." — Abraham Lincoln
"There are some truths which are so obvious that, for this very reason, they are not seen or at least not recognized by ordinary people." — Adolf Hitler, Mein Kampf
"I used to do drugs. I still do, but I used to, too." — Mitch Hedberg
"I haven't slept for ten days, because that would be too long." — Mitch Hedberg
"My cat's breath smells like cat food." — Ralph Wiggum, The Simpsons
"I like bi-planes!" — Non Sequitur comic strip
"I love grapes." — Grandma Georgina, Non Sequitur comic strip
"Violets!" — Non Sequitur comic strip
"I can still picture the commercial. Ugh." — Reddit user
Etymology
Let's break down "non sequitur"
The phrase "non sequitur" comes from Latin. When we break it down, we get:
Non: This means "not."
Sequitur: This comes from the verb "sequi," which means "to follow."
So, when put together, "non sequitur" literally means "it does not follow."
Early Use
The first known use of "non sequitur" was in the 15th century. Back then, it was used mainly by people who studied logic. They used it to point out when someone made a conclusion that didn't make sense based on the information they had.
Today's Use
Today, we use "non sequitur" more broadly. It can refer to any statement or idea that doesn't logically connect to what was said before. It's often used to describe something that's confusing or doesn't make sense.
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Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Non sequitur
While "non sequitur" itself isn't commonly used in idioms or set phrases, we can use it in various contexts to describe illogical statements or ideas. Here are some examples:
A classic non sequitur: This is a common way to describe a statement that doesn't logically follow.
A complete non sequitur: This emphasizes the total lack of logical connection.
A baffling non sequitur: This highlights the confusion caused by the illogical statement.
A perplexing non sequitur: This emphasizes the puzzling nature of the statement.
A nonsensical non sequitur: This highlights the absurdity of the statement.
We can also use synonyms for "non sequitur" in various phrases and idioms:
A red herring: This idiom refers to something irrelevant that distracts from the main issue.
A leap of logic: This phrase describes a conclusion that is not logically supported by the evidence.
A tangent: This refers to a sudden change of topic, often unrelated to the original discussion.
A digression: This is a departure from the main subject.
While these phrases and idioms may not directly use "non sequitur," they capture the essence of illogical statements and ideas.
Posts Related to Non sequitur
Source Information
Definition of non sequitur from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
