Definition

1. Noun:
   • Dull/Blunt reasoning; specious argument: Refers to petty, trivial, or hair-splitting arguments that are logically weak, unconvincing, and often irritating because they focus on insignificant details.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Đừng đưa ra mấy thứ lý sự cùn ấy nữa. (Stop bringing up those specious/unconvincing arguments.)
  • Anh ta chỉ giỏi lý sự cùn, chẳng giải quyết được vấn đề gì. (He's only good at petty reasoning, it doesn't solve any problems.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used to dismiss someone's argument as not only incorrect but also annoyingly trivial and a waste of time. It implies a lack of substantive or intelligent reasoning.

Variants and Related Words

• Cãi cùn (v): To argue stubbornly over trivial points.
  • Hai đứa trẻ cãi cùn về việc ai được chơi trước. (The two children bickered stubbornly over who got to play first.)

Synonyms

• Sophistry: Subtly deceptive reasoning or argumentation.
• Quibbling: Arguing or raising objections about trivial matters.
• Specious argument: An argument that seems correct but is actually false.

Related Idioms

• Cãi chày cãi cối: To argue obstinately and relentlessly (like a pestle and mortar grinding against each other).
  • Nó cãi chày cãi cối mà chẳng có lý do chính đáng. (He argued obstinately without any valid reason.)