Quick answer: 10th dentist (informal) — 10th dentist: person who holds an unpopular opinion. Meanwhile, not my Nigel (informal) — not my Nigel: sarcastic imitation of a woman claiming her male friends aren't misogynistic.
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. not my Nigel ↗
Category: Internet essentials
Register: informal
Regions: Online
not my Nigel: sarcastic imitation of a woman claiming her male friends aren't misogynistic.
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.
“When the thread accused her of sexist jokes, she replied, not my Nigel, as if that defended her.”
In plain English: When the thread accused her of sexist jokes, she replied, sarcastic imitation of a woman claiming her male friends aren't misogynistic, as if that defended her.
Test both expressions in context
Quiz yourself on 10th dentist & not my Nigel ↗ Browse all slang comparisons →