logomachy lo·gom·a·chy [loh-gom-uh-kee] noun, plural lo·gom·a·chies.
1. a dispute about or concerning words.
2. an argument or debate marked by the reckless or incorrect use of words; meaningless battle of words.
3. a game played with cards, each bearing one letter, with which words are formed.
I see the first definition all the time. Someone will make a spelling mistake or misuse a word in a post about a controversial subject and someone else will ridicule them for it, then someone else will defend the original poster and ridicule the ridiculer and others will chime in on one side or the other and sometimes the person who made the mistake will reply, either slamming the critics or laughing it off and the original contention will be forgotten.
Another argument I saw not long ago was in regards to the second definition. It was in a political forum and someone said "They just tow the party line." and a reply said it was "toe". The first person came back and said no, it was "tow", as in pull behind them. That went on for several dozen posts with both leaving links "proving" the other was wrong.
Ah, such is the Internet, huh? One big logomachy.
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