blaterateget

Blaterateget is a neologism used to describe the act or phenomenon of engaging in extended, digressive, and often pompous discourse in online or public contexts, typically with the aim of signaling expertise, credibility, or dominance rather than contributing substantive information. The behavior is characterized by verbose phrasing, frequent asides, and a tendency to redefine terms or cite obscure sources to bolster claims.

Etymology: The term blends "blaterate," a constructed verb meaning to blather noisily, with the suffix "-get" here used to nominalize a process. The coinage emerged in discussions about online rhetoric in the early 21st century and has since circulated in linguistic and media studies as a label for performative argumentation.

Characteristics: Common features include lengthy preambles, repetitive assertion of minor points, selective quotation, and a pattern of addressing hypothetical opponents or asking rhetorical questions without direct engagement. It often shifts the focus from the topic to the speaker’s status.

Context and impact: Most present in internet comment sections, forums, and social media threads, but can appear in panel discussions or blogs. The phenomenon can lead to reader fatigue, obscuring of actual arguments, and a reduced willingness to engage in dialogue.

Related terms: In discourse studies, blaterateget is discussed alongside concepts such as logorrhea and performative rhetoric, as markers of online identity signaling rather than substantive contribution.