Quick answer: 10th dentist (informal) — 10th dentist: person who holds an unpopular opinion. Meanwhile, feed the troll (informal) — feed the troll: reply to a troll's provocation.
1. 10th dentist ↗
Category: Internet essentials
Register: informal
Regions: Online
10th dentist: person who holds an unpopular opinion.
When it fits: Choose this wording when the meaning above fits what you intend to say. Give the reader enough surrounding context to follow the example; if clarity matters more than the shorthand, use the plain-English wording instead.
When to avoid: Avoid assuming that a label reveals somebody’s motives or private behavior. If you are unsure how your words will be understood, explain the situation directly and ask a clarifying question rather than relying on the expression alone.
“During the heated debate, I called him a 10th dentist when he stubbornly defended his fringe theory despite overwhelming evidence.”
In plain English: During the heated debate, I called him a person who holds an unpopular opinion when he stubbornly defended his fringe theory despite overwhelming evidence.
2. feed the troll ↗
Category: Internet essentials
Register: informal
Regions: Online
feed the troll: reply to a troll's provocation.
When it fits: Choose this wording when the meaning above fits what you intend to say. Give the reader enough surrounding context to follow the example; if clarity matters more than the shorthand, use the plain-English wording instead.
When to avoid: Avoid assuming that a label reveals somebody’s motives or private behavior. If you are unsure how your words will be understood, explain the situation directly and ask a clarifying question rather than relying on the expression alone.
“feed the troll before the moderator steps in, or the discussion will devolve into chaos.”
In plain English: reply to a troll's provocation before the moderator steps in, or the discussion will devolve into chaos.
Test both expressions in context
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