diagonalizing

To diagonalize somebody means, for example in psychotherapy, to point out incoherence / inconsistency in somebody's beliefs, also can be used in an argument in a more confrontational manner. Speaking in terms of computer science and math, diagonalization is related to stuff like: Lawvere's theorem, oracles, proof by contradiction

Timi: u need to stop diagonalizing ppl so bad bro, nobody understands nothin man; and them hoes get "the ick" if u know what I'm sayin
Myself: aight my bad gang. I appreciate ur kind feedback but Timi, if nobody understands nothin as u say, how come ur able to say this to me? Maybe it really makes sense :D
Timi: here we go again :)

by Sonic_tachyonic December 6, 2024

thumbs-diagonal

Somewhat better than "thumbs-horizontal" --- i.e., where you don't know "one way or da other" or " whether it's a 'ding' or 'buzz'" --- in dat you think you've got a better-than-fifty-fifty chance of a positive outcome, but cannot be sure enough yet to do da Fonzie-gesture.

My buddy asked me to run in da store to ask if they were giving out free calendars this year; da clerk said dat they might be, but hadn't heard for sure yet, so I came out and gave my friend a thumbs-diagonal sign.

by QuacksO November 8, 2025