Galileo gambit
nounEtymology Compound of Galileo + gambit (“stratagem, tactic”). Named after Galileo Galilei, who was persecuted by the Church for his beliefs.
1
Purposeful attraction of criticism or ridicule for the purpose of portraying one's argument as oppressed and therefore correct. Also, the argument that one is correct due to such opposition.
- Near-synonym: Galileo fallacy
- That old liar pulled a Galileo gambit and made sure everyone would hate him so he could claim he was just a persecuted free thinker.