bullshit detector

American  

[bool-shit di-tek-ter] / ˈbʊlˌʃɪt dɪˌtɛk tər /

noun

1. the ability to recognize when someone is exaggerating, lying, talking nonsense, etc..

   If you try faking it on a bunch of questions, be warned—the average human being has a very good bullshit detector.

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Etymology

Origin of bullshit detector

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

Gentile talks about his writing process—lots of jokes go into a first draft, but only a few make the cut—and how the instinct to laugh is itself a reliable bullshit detector.

From Slate • Mar. 12, 2019

But when investigative journalist, fellow climber, and onetime CAI supporter Jon Krakauer got around to reading Mortenson’s memoir, his “internal bullshit detector redlined,” he said.

From Slate • Jun. 18, 2014