![\"woman](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.attorneyatwork.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Can-you-believe-it_-Advocates-Vocabulary-Yellow.jpg?resize=770%2C495&ssl=1\" "\\"\\"")
We were fighting over origination credit. I contended that the other person wasn\u2019t entitled to anything due to their tenuous relationship to the case. Basically, they heard about it. I told the leader of my team, \u201cTheir argument is specious.\u201d Leader responded: \u201cI don\u2019t think Morgan (not the real name) even knows what that word means.\u201d<\/p>\n
Words to Use Next Time Around<\/h2>\n
Sometimes you just run out of ways to say somebody\u2019s trying to peddle a lie, but a real advocate never runs out of the right vocabulary. You don\u2019t want to descend into a verbal brawl. However, with the right words, you can prevail in an elegant duel.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Specious <\/strong>\u2013 A close look shows it\u2019s all baloney.<\/li>\n
- Fallacious<\/strong> \u2013 The underlying premise is false; based on an incorrect premise, a fallacy.<\/li>\n
- Contrived<\/strong> \u2013 They made it up.<\/li>\n
- Untenable<\/strong> \u2013 This won\u2019t withstand scrutiny.<\/li>\n
- Spurious<\/strong> \u2013 It\u2019s a lie.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
In a brief, these adjectives are pretty strong. In oral argument, with the right tone of voice, you can make them even stronger. \u201cYour honor, these arguments are (slight pause here as if searching for the right word, though you\u2019ve actually rehearsed this) completely and utterly spurious.\u201d<\/p>\n
Polite, but destructive.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t Go Out on a Limb<\/h2>\n
Those words are oh-so-close to an insult. If you want to soften it up a bit (and maybe leave yourself an emergency exit), you might try:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Implausible<\/strong> \u2013 Really stretches the willing suspension of disbelief.<\/li>\n
- Dubious<\/strong> \u2013 A reasonable doubt and then some.<\/li>\n
- Unlikely<\/strong> \u2013 Pretty ridiculous.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Of course, somewhere in there, you have to provide details as to why no one should believe these assertions. Otherwise, you are just spouting off conclusions and losing credibility.<\/p>\n
The Answer Is \u2018No\u2019<\/h2>\n
Have you learned this small talk<\/a> trick? No matter what the question, an appropriate answer is always, \u201cCan you believe it?\u201d<\/a> (Hat tip to comedian Alex Edelman<\/a>.) <\/p>\n
This time, when the question is, \u201cCan you believe it?\u201d you want to make sure the answer is \u201cno.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n - Dubious<\/strong> \u2013 A reasonable doubt and then some.<\/li>\n
- Fallacious<\/strong> \u2013 The underlying premise is false; based on an incorrect premise, a fallacy.<\/li>\n
![\"Order](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.attorneyatwork.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Get-to-the-Point-Order-of-Adjectives.jpg?resize=770%2C495&ssl=1\" "\\"\\"")