Call me a language maven, wordsmith, grammarian, etymologist, or philolog, but don't call me a sophist!
The word of the day is sophistry.
Sophistry -- n. a deceptive or fallacious argument.
Sophistry is deceiving someone by making a superficial or defective argument, which doesn't hold water. Example: telling your mother you can't clean your room because it will destroy the delicate balance of the ecosystem.
Sophistry is not a word that you hear every day in conversation, but just turn on the TV and watch the commercials. You'll see plenty!
