A fork of Rural Dictionary
Attacking someone's grammar/spelling in debate rather than focusing on their argument. An intentional play on the word "ad hominem".
Person A: I think you're argument is illogical. Here are several well-reasoned arguments why I think so. Person B: It's "your", not "you're". I will now call you names like "illiterate imbecile" while completely ignoring the fact that you pwned me in reason and logic. Person A: That's an ad homonym attack.
In a debate (or perceived debate) a casual remark that sounds like an insult, and is perceived as one.
Norma: I think we may be getting rain soon. Betty: Actually, Norma, after analyzing the latest data, including local atmospheric pressure, temperature and cloud characteristics, and the velocity of fronts within a 100 mile radius, I conclude that we will NOT be getting rain soon. Norma: Well, Betty. It sounds like, when you grow up, you might be quite the mee-tee--a-rol--o--gist. Betty: Are you calling me FAT? Norma: ???? Betty: You clearly know nothing about weather, and you try to overcome your ignorance by saying that when I grow up, I'll be a MEATY urologist. Ad hominem attacks have no place in rational discussions. Norma: No, Betty. Your scientific knowledge actually impresses me. I said you were going to be quite the METEOROLOGIST when you grew up. Betty: Oh, so I thought it was an ad hominem... Norma: and it was really only an ad homonym! (meterologist homonym courtesy of Richard Lederer)
A logical fallacy used in an argument or debate. When someone attacks the person instead of the subject at hand, usually complete irrelevant and personal.
Guy: I think that the American internment camps for Japanese-Americans were justified. Girl: How can you say that? Then the Americans aren't doing too much different than Germany with the Jews. Guy: Yea well you're a slut. Girl: That has nothing to do with the subject at hand, is your ad homonym attack a sign of you're ignorance and stupidity?
A misspelling of "ad hominem."
Ad homonym is a misspelling of the word, ad hominem.