So the description says this is "a type of logical fallacy", but doesn't actually say what the logical fallacy is. The dialogue itself, as used in fiction, is usually tongue-in-cheek, and I can't find any off-site references to a fallacy called "appeal to obscurity".
Did someone just add that line because "Appeal to X" looks like the name of a fallacy?
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Seems like so. I can't find much support for the idea that this is a fallacy at all.
"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
Kinda seems like a lot of the examples here are where a person is intentionally saying 'because you've never heard of that, we'll get away with this' or where something really is legitimately obscure.. and then someone points out that, as if it doesn't really fit the trope. Are we confused a bit?
Moving this example here because I want to use it later as an example of natter.
- Sabrina The Teenage Witch: Salem talks about the time he accidentally wiped a holiday off the calendar.
Sabrina: Bobunk? I've never heard of it.Salem: That's my point!
- The wording is the same as this argument, but it isn't actually a case of it. Plus, it isn't obscure, it's magically erased from existence.
I don't follow. It is a form of natter, but... what do you mean, you want to use it later as an example?
Was Loom out before Monkey Island? Or was that a joke meant to promote Loom?
I want to add this but do not remember whether it's from Our Man Flint or In Like Flint. "How did you know the sentry was an impostor?" "He was wearing a Battle of the Bulge campaign ribbon." "There is no campaign ribbon for the Battle of the Bulge." "Exactly."