godwin's law: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
RareInformal, internet slang, online discourse
Quick answer
What does “godwin's law” mean?
An internet adage stating that as an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Hitler or the Nazis approaches one.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An internet adage stating that as an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Hitler or the Nazis approaches one.
A humorous observation about the trajectory of heated debates in digital forums, often invoked to suggest that someone has ended productive discussion by making an inappropriate Nazi analogy.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage, spelling, or understanding between UK and US English. The term originates in US internet culture but is used globally.
Connotations
Typically carries a humorous, cynical, or mildly critical connotation when used neutrally. It can carry stronger criticism when accusing someone of 'invoking' the law.
Frequency
Low and highly contextual, primarily found in online forums, comment sections, and discussions about digital discourse. Frequency is comparable in both regions within relevant contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “godwin's law” in a Sentence
Someone invokes/triggers/proves Godwin's law.Godwin's law has been invoked.The discussion reached Godwin's law.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “godwin's law” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He promptly godwinned the debate with a lazy comparison to fascism.
- The thread was officially godwinned within fifty comments.
American English
- You just Godwin's Lawed your own argument.
- The moderator warned the user not to godwin the discussion.
adverb
British English
- The conversation devolved Godwinly into name-calling.
- He argued Godwin-wards until the moderator stepped in.
American English
- The debate proceeded predictably, ending Godwin's Law–ishly.
adjective
British English
- It was a Godwin's Law moment that ended the forum thread.
- His comment was utterly Godwinesque.
American English
- The discussion took a Godwinian turn.
- That's a classic Godwin's Law response.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Highly unlikely, unless discussing social media strategy or online community management in a meta-context.
Academic
Occasionally referenced in media studies, communications, or internet culture papers.
Everyday
Virtually never used in spoken, non-internet-related contexts.
Technical
Used as a term of art in discussions about online moderation, forum dynamics, and digital rhetoric.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “godwin's law”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “godwin's law”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “godwin's law”
- Spelling: 'Godwin's Law' (capitalised) is standard. Not 'Godwins Law' or 'Godwin Law'.
- Using it to refer to any historical analogy, not specifically those involving Nazis/Hitler.
- Misattributing its purpose: it's an observation, not a command to end discussions.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not necessarily. The 'law' is an observation, not a rule. However, in internet culture, invoking it often implies the comparison was hyperbolic and damaged the person's credibility, effectively ending the productive debate.
The principle can be observed in any prolonged, heated debate, but the term itself is almost exclusively used in the context of online or digital communication. Its usage offline would be a self-conscious reference to the internet concept.
It was formulated in 1990 by Mike Godwin, an American attorney and author, in the early days of the Usenet discussion system.
Yes. Concepts like 'reductio ad Hitlerum' (a logical fallacy of dismissing an argument by comparing it to Nazism) and 'Rule 34 of the Internet' are part of similar internet folklore. Some also joke about 'Godwin's Corollary'—whoever mentions Hitler first loses.
An internet adage stating that as an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Hitler or the Nazis approaches one.
Godwin's law is usually informal, internet slang, online discourse in register.
Godwin's law: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡɒd.wɪnz lɔː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡɑːd.wɪnz lɔː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to invoke Godwin's law”
- “the thread has gone Godwin”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of an online discussion GO-ing Down a rabbit hole, and WINning (losing) the argument by pulling out the Hitler card.
Conceptual Metaphor
DISCUSSION IS A JOURNEY (towards a negative destination: Godwin's law is the inevitable, bad endpoint). ARGUMENT IS WAR (Godwin's law is the nuclear option that ends it).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary implication when someone says 'Godwin's law has been invoked' in an online discussion?