Word to use instead of devil's advocate 2

[CrystalStart]

Is there a word to use instead of "devil's advocate"?

 

[RCorrigan]

[feigns innocence] Keanu Reeves ?

<Do I need A Signature or will an X do?>

 

[CrystalStart]

where can I get that rolling laughing thing? [Please, insert here]

Question is serious btw

 

[KenCunningham]

I guess antagonist is similar, but doesn't have quite the same 'for the sake of it' connotations.

 

[RCorrigan]

[ignore] [/ignore]

<Do I need A Signature or will an X do?>

 

[CajunCenturion]

Keanu Reeves - That's funny.

CrystalStart - On the use of emoticons, underneath this message box is a checkbox and link for &quot;Emoticons/Smileys&quot;. Click on the &quot;Emoticons/Smileys&quot; link and you will get a popup showing you proper TGML codes for the various emoticons. Please note that the emoticons have been categorized and each category may be viewed separately.

To the serious question, one possibility, is to be a spoiler, but I'm not very enthusiastic about that option as it suggests a fait accompli which may not be the case. Still thinking about it.

Good Luck
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[RCorrigan]

CS Do you want a single word or another phrase? Also is there a specific context?

<Do I need A Signature or will an X do?>

 

[CrystalStart]

Test Test

"Devil's advocate" is an idiom, right?
I could swear (up until now) that every idiom was "wrapped up" actual saying but with this one we can't trace it back, right?

 

[CrystalStart]

RC,
another saying, no context

 

[CajunCenturion]

Devil's Advocate was first used back in the 16[sup]th[/sup] century during the process of cannonization. When someone was offered or suggested for sainthood, the Church would hold a trial and would appoint a "God's Advocate" who would argue in favor of sainthood, and a "Devil's Advocate" who would argue against sainthood. This adversarial proceeding was done to insure that the good and bad were both given due treatment, and that nothing was overlooked, when deciding whether or not sainthood was warranted.

Today, the phrase has a more general connotation to be one who take the other side, just for arguement's sake.

Good Luck
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[CrystalStart]

How about:
"Would you quit adopting a position you don't believe in just for the sake of the argument!"
Silly, right?

There must be solution

 

[KenCunningham]

[tongue in cheek].....no it isn't.[/tongue in cheek]

 

[RCorrigan]

CS ... should have used that one on my ex-wife !!!!

KC

<Do I need A Signature or will an X do?>

 

[KenCunningham]

In fact I'd say 'stop being so adversarial' is probably nearest but again without the exact connotation.

 

[tsdragon]

From what I've seen here, I'd say either adversary or antagonist ought to work. You won't get the exact connotation unless you use the exact phrase.


Tracy Dryden

Meddle not in the affairs of dragons,
For you are crunchy, and good with mustard.

 

[CajunCenturion]

Actually, you could say,

Would you please stop lawyering?

Good Luck
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To get the most from your Tek-Tips experience, please read FAQ181-2886
As a circle of light increases so does the circumference of darkness around it. - Albert Einstein

 

[Genimuse]

I'd think "false adversary" would be much more accurate. "Adversary" alone completely loses the context of the term.

 

[SF0751]

From The Etymology Dictionary: Devil's advocate (1760) comes from the Latin advocatus diaboli, one whose job it is to urge against the canonization of a candidate for sainthood.

Susan
"Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example." - Mark Twain, Pudd'nhead Wilson (1894)

 

[SantaMufasa]

In the group I grew up with, since they had no clue what "Devil's Advocate" meant, we just used the term, "Butt Head".

Mufasa
(aka Dave of Sandy, Utah, USA)

http://www.dasages.com

@ 21:56 (22Feb05) UTC (aka "GMT" and "Zulu"),
@ 14:56 (22Feb05) Mountain Time
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[CorBlimeyLimey]

If the concept of being "Devils Advocate" is to promote the negative aspect of something or someone ... then perhaps something along the line of Negational might be in order.

Negationalist
Negativist
Negatorialist

They may not be "real" words ... but they sound about right.

& all the best.