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PeaceNikki

(27,985 posts)

23. ideas considered irrational or based on extremely flimsy evidence or that appeal to mysterious...

Mon Jan 6, 2014, 03:36 PM

Jan 2014

woo-woo

Woo-woo (or just plain woo) refers to ideas considered irrational or based on extremely flimsy evidence or that appeal to mysterious occult forces or powers.

Here's a dictionary definition of woo-woo:

adj. concerned with emotions, mysticism, or spiritualism; other than rational or scientific; mysterious; new agey. Also n., a person who has mystical or new age beliefs.

When used by skeptics, woo-woo is a derogatory and dismissive term used to refer to beliefs one considers nonsense or to a person who holds such beliefs.

Sometimes woo-woo is used by skeptics as a synonym for pseudoscience, true-believer, or quackery. But mostly the term is used for its emotive content and is an emotive synonym for such terms as nonsense, irrational, nutter, nut, or crazy.

http://www.skepdic.com/woowoo.html

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Highlight:

Woo shaming [View all] B2G Jan 2014 OP

Shame on woo! n/t ChisolmTrailDem Jan 2014 #1

lol Bobbie Jo Jan 2014 #7

Poor Mason Woo! icymist Jan 2014 #55

What the hell is Woo? vi5 Jan 2014 #2

I don't think it's an acronym. Phlem Jan 2014 #6

Please don't tell me you're saying Homeopathy, Crystals are current science. HERVEPA Jan 2014 #11

If they weren't many others are... gcomeau Jan 2014 #13

No that's not what I'm saying. Phlem Jan 2014 #14

Well, your post was not clear to me. HERVEPA Jan 2014 #16

try re reading my post, I've updated it. Phlem Jan 2014 #17

OK. I reread it. HERVEPA Jan 2014 #19

If one believes you can dilute something out of existence and think the memory. Phlem Jan 2014 #22

Wow. So quick to reply to all my posts until this one. How very courteous of you. Phlem Jan 2014 #24

I am at work, actually, so can't always reply right away. HERVEPA Jan 2014 #26

I have PTSD since early child hood from an abusive stepfather Phlem Jan 2014 #29

Sorry about your PTSD HERVEPA Jan 2014 #30

Do you believe in work, HERVEPA? MrMickeysMom Jan 2014 #34

Read the frigging stream of posts HERVEPA Jan 2014 #62

"why don't just stick it…" ??? MrMickeysMom Jan 2014 #63

'Winning Others Over' according to the Gallup Business Journal icymist Jan 2014 #60

ideas considered irrational or based on extremely flimsy evidence or that appeal to mysterious... PeaceNikki Jan 2014 #23

You could say that about a lot so science. Cleita Jan 2014 #36

Look, don't pull me into this flame fest. I have no dog in this fight. I was just answering the ? PeaceNikki Jan 2014 #37

Well try a different definition. Cleita Jan 2014 #40

yes, I fucking said it was derogatory. PeaceNikki Jan 2014 #45

What issues do you have with quantum mechanics? n/t Gore1FL Jan 2014 #44

Perhaps that it's a decent model. Igel Jan 2014 #49

A decent model?!!! athena Jan 2014 #52

What would you say about quantum mechanics, again? athena Jan 2014 #48

Except that quantum physics actually makes testable predictions that are verified by experiment. Salviati Jan 2014 #54

Nobody has denied that. Cleita Jan 2014 #61

Alchemy used to be "woo" to most people, but now it's part of what we call chemistry. Electric Monk Jan 2014 #43

Neat! PeaceNikki Jan 2014 #46

Rather the contrary. Igel Jan 2014 #51

willful stupidity nt Deep13 Jan 2014 #53

World Of Outlaws icymist Jan 2014 #56

This Atman Jan 2014 #3

Woo should be ashamed! L0oniX Jan 2014 #4

He should, but he is probably a Republican, so he has no shame. RC Jan 2014 #42

If there is a hell I should burn in it WITH SHAME get the red out Jan 2014 #5

For Shame! Phlem Jan 2014 #8

Herbal tea is good. Vashta Nerada Jan 2014 #12

woo is me. nt geek tragedy Jan 2014 #9

Woo should be shamed. Vashta Nerada Jan 2014 #10

I see nothing wrong with this store icymist Jan 2014 #59

But together, you've created something hilarious and true! reformist2 Jan 2014 #15

I believe you meant to say twoo. HERVEPA Jan 2014 #18

How could I miss that! lol reformist2 Jan 2014 #25

How about "woo shaming and consensus privilege"? n/t lumberjack_jeff Jan 2014 #20

Woosh! Puzzledtraveller Jan 2014 #21

OK, I'm a fan of some things that are scientifically proven but are being called Squinch Jan 2014 #27

And the biggest "woo" offender of all Phlem Jan 2014 #28

"Woo Shaming" is so excellent, that I just submitted it to Urban Dictionary. Thanks! Ian David Jan 2014 #31

Nice! B2G Jan 2014 #32

The first instance I could find of the phrase was a Facebook posting from 2012. Ian David Jan 2014 #35

Lol...I didn't Google it so I'm surprised B2G Jan 2014 #38

Pretty much. Just you and a couple others, as far as I can tell. n/t Ian David Jan 2014 #39

I prefer my woo in entertainment form. ProgressSaves Jan 2014 #33

I here ya B2G Phlem Jan 2014 #41

Shame on failed scientific experiments that created generations of heartbreak. sabrina 1 Jan 2014 #47

Can I buy you a beer? Drahthaardogs Jan 2014 #50

Why the fuck is everyone so infatuated with the Sham Woo guy madinmaryland Jan 2014 #57

Was it really that bad a movie? icymist Jan 2014 #58