Etymology Edit

Kafka +‎ trap, coined as a noun kafkatrapping in 2010 by Eric S. Raymond in reference to Franz Kafka's story The Trial (Der Proceß, published 1925), in which a man is accused of crimes that are never specified.

Pronunciation Edit

Noun Edit

Kafkatrap (plural Kafkatraps)

A sophistical rhetorical device in which any denial by the accused serves as evidence of guilt. Jill said Jack was paranoid, and when he told her he was not she just nodded knowingly. It was a perfect Kafkatrap.

Verb Edit

Kafkatrap (third-person singular simple present Kafkatraps, present participle Kafkatrapping, simple past and past participle Kafkatrapped)

To employ a Kafkatrap.

See also Edit

References Edit