‖ tu quoque
(t(j)uː ˈkwəʊkwiː)
[L., lit. ‘thou also’, = Eng. slang ‘you're another!’]
An argument which consists in retorting a charge upon one's accuser. Also attrib.
| [1614 J. Cooke (title) Greenes Tu quoque, Or, The Cittie Gallant. Ibid. E ij b, Rash...M. Bubble, God saue you. Bub. Tu quoque Sir. Ibid. G j b, Bub... I want the Bone Ioure, and the Tu quoques, Which yonder Gentleman has.] 1671 Shadwell Humorist ii. 28 Nay Sir, I say nothing, Mum is the Italian tu quoque word. 1838 Lytton Alice iii. iv, No man knew better the rhetorical effect of the tu quoque form of argument. 1874 J. O. Dykes Relations Kingd. to World ii. 107 The tu quoque rejoinder, ‘Physician heal thyself’, is in its place here. a 1903 ‘Merriman’ Last Hope v, I leave myself open to a tu quoque, I know. |