English Language & Usage Asked by AlphaModder on February 11, 2021
The situation being when you are accused of something, and provide a logical reason why you wouldn’t (not couldn’t) do such a thing, and such an explanation only makes you sound more guilty.
For example, if your boss has recently been murdered, and your coworkers know you didn’t like him, and someone accuses you of killing him, and you say something like “Why would I do that? He just gave me a raise!” (This isn’t the best example, I’m sure there are reasons that would seem more manufactured.)
I think this is one of the situations that the 5th amendment tries to protect against in court. It seems to be a subtle form of double bind, since not defending yourself makes you seem guilty, as does defending yourself.
Is there any term for this situation in English?
In this example, you might be protesting too much.
Shakespeare introduced the phrase in Hamlet: "the lady doth protest too much, methinks".
"The lady doth protest too much, methinks" is a quotation from the 1602 play Hamlet by William Shakespeare. It has been used as a figure of speech, in various phrasings, to indicate that a person's overly frequent or vehement attempts to convince others of something have ironically helped to convince others that the opposite is true, by making the person look insincere and defensive. (Wikipedia)
The phrase can mean the denial/protest is too frequently repeated but it can also just be due to the vehemence or phrasing of the denial. It can be thought of — as the Wikipedia article on the line in Hamlet says — a subtle, unintentional apophasis.
Apophasis is a rhetorical device wherein the speaker or writer brings up a subject by either denying it, or denying that it should be brought up. (Wikipedia)
A single misplaced word can cause others to think the person protests too much.
Accusing someone of protesting too much is a not-so-subtle form of double bind. To deny it is to protest even more.
Answered by Avon on February 11, 2021
We often say, "He's digging his own grave," when someone's attempt to defend themselves makes them sound guilty. (US)
Answered by Oldbag on February 11, 2021
Hmm, I can't quite recall something that elegantly covers this exact case. Here are lots of pieces to work with though.
Doing anything that ultimately damages yourself can be described as, "digging your own grave".
Specifically saying something that is contrary to your best interest is, "putting your foot in your mouth".
The act of doing anything that incriminates yourself is just self-incrimination.
Jon could have stopped talking, but he self-incriminatingly put his foot in his mouth instead.
Answered by Chris Subagio on February 11, 2021
Answering the question/accusation: “You killed him, didn’t you?/Why did you kill him?” with anything but a firm denial gives the impression that one is dodging the question and therefore can raise suspicion that the truth is being withheld. (Wikipedia)
Asking rhetorical questions in response to questions certainly has its place and is not always evidence of ‘question dodging,” but even if one fancies themselves as possessing the intelligence and logic of Socrates, responding to a murder accusation by asking such a question will, at best, not result in being excused from further interrogation and at worst is tantamount to “shooting oneself in the foot.” (without getting into the cited ELU discussion concerning whether that phrase means ‘intentional,’ ‘unintentional,’ or either kind of self-harm)
Answered by Papa Poule on February 11, 2021
Perhaps it's not an actual term that people use, but perhaps we should reference it as an "appeal." Maybe "Appeal to Motive," or something along those lines. And then we all can just agree that "Appeal to Motive" is a blanket statement for defending or attacking someone's views/actions based on establishing a motive, or lack thereof, to think/do that thing.
Answered by Joel Holland on February 11, 2021
the phrase (as) guilty as sin Merriman-Webster
completely, or very[sic] guilty
As in:
Despite his protestations, he appeared in body and manner guilty as sin!
Answered by lbf on February 11, 2021
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