Etymology Learned borrowing from Latin nōn sequitur (literally “it does not follow”).
1
Human sciences, Linguistics, Narratology, Sciences Any abrupt and inexplicable transition or occurrence.
Having a costumed superhero abduct the vicar was an utter non sequitur in the novel.
Non sequiturs, gratuitous acts, frustrating ellipses, ambiguities, a dearth of emotion: Miss [Lillian] Hellman avails herself of all these current techniques in telling a story that she keeps telling us may not be a story at all.1980 May 13, Anatole Broyard, “Books of The Times”, in The New York Times, →ISSN:
2
Human sciences, Logic, Mathematics, Philosophy, Sciences Any invalid argument in which the conclusion cannot be logically deduced from the premises.
3
A statement that does not logically follow a statement that preceded it.
Ralph Wiggum is generally employed as a bottomless fount of glorious non sequiturs, but in “I Love Lisa” he stands in for every oblivious chump who ever deluded himself into thinking that with persistence, determination, and a pure heart he can win the girl of his dreams.2012 August 5, Nathan Rabin, “TV: Review: THE SIMPSONS (CLASSIC): “I Love Lisa” (season 4, episode 15; originally aired 02/11/1993)”, in AV Club:
4
Comedy, Entertainment, Lifestyle A kind of pun that uses a change of word, subject, or meaning to make a joke of the listener’s expectation.
Ambitransitive, Rare To commit a non sequitur; to make a statement that does not logically follow a previous statement.
Schoeck had long been complaining of the rapidity of technical developments in the brave new world of postwar Europe (when driving past the new Zurich airport once with Alma Staub, he had non-sequitured in despair: “There's no wonder that all culture is going to the dogs when you can get in here and get out in Chicago the next morning”).¹¹2009, Chris Walton, “Rather Nice Horn”, in Othmar Schoeck: Life and Works, Rochester, NY: University of Rochester Press, →ISBN, page 296: