Poe
proper nounnounverbattested in dialogue
- United Kingdom//pəʊ//
- United States//poʊ//
A surname from Old Norse
proper noun
- 1
A surname from Old Norse
- 2
A surname from Old Norse: Edgar Allan Poe, an American author and poet of the 19th century, known especially for his dark themes.
- 3
An unincorporated community in Allen County, Indiana, United States.
- 4
An unincorporated community in Nicholas County, West Virginia, United States.
Etymology
A nickname from Old Norse pái (“peacock”). This surname is also well established in Ireland.
noun
- 1
A person whose views, statements, or behaviour are so extreme or satirical that it is impossible to tell whether they are sincere or parodic.
A person who writes a parody of a Fundamentalist that is mistaken for the real thing. Due to Poe's law, it is almost impossible to tell if a person is a Poe unless they admit to it.
Normally, a Poe is a fraud trying to make the side look bad they claim to be on.
- 2
A post, comment, or message whose sincerity cannot be determined; specifically, one that may be parody, satire, or trolling, but could also be a genuine expression of belief.
In this context, a Poe refers to a person, post, or news story that could cause Poe's law to be invoked.… A typical phrase would be “it’s a Poe, guys, don’t be so stupid” when an extremely rational link is posted.
Etymology
From Poe's law, an Internet adage coined by Nathan Poe in 2005 on the Christian Forums website. Originally applied to religious fundamentalism, the term has since broadened to describe any situation where parody and sincerity are indistinguishable.
verb
- 1
To impersonate or mimic an extreme viewpoint in a way that invokes Poe's law.
- 2
To write or create a message so extreme or parodic that it is difficult to distinguish from sincere extremism.
Forms
- plural
- Poes
- past tense
- Poed
- past participle
- Poed
- present participle
- Poeing
- third person singular
- Poes