English Explanatory Dictionary

Kafkatrap

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A sophistical rhetorical device in which any denial by an accused person serves as evidence of guilt.
verb
  1. To employ a Kafkatrap against (someone).
noun
  1. Alternative letter-case form of Kafkatrap.
verb
  1. Alternative letter-case form of Kafkatrap.

Pronunciation

/ˈkæfkəˌtræp/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-Kafkatrap.wav /ˈkɑfkəˌtræp/

Word forms

Kafkatrap Kafkatraps Kafkatrapping Kafkatrapped

Etymology

From Kafka + trap, coined by American programmer & open source advocate Eric S. Raymond in 2010 (see the quotation below) in reference to the novel Der Proceß (The Trial, 1925) by the Bohemian author Franz Kafka (1883–1924), in which a man is accused of crimes that are never specified, and every defense is treated as proof of guilt.

Related words

Kafkaesque damned if one does and damned if one doesn't gaslight

Derived words

Kafkatrapping
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