whataboutism

[hwuht-uh-bou-tiz-uhm, wuht‐, hwot‐, wot‐]

noun

1. a conversational tactic in which a person responds to an argument or attack by changing the subject to focus on someone else’s misconduct, implying that all criticism is invalid because no one is completely blameless.

   Excusing your mistakes with whataboutism is not the same as defending your record.

Word History and Origins

Origin of whataboutism¹

First recorded in 1975–80; from the phrase what about? + -ism ( def. )

Example Sentences

Your mileage may vary as to whether Egg Whataboutism is a feckless approach.

From Slate

Whataboutism and bothsidesism are tactics utilized to dismiss moral calls to end genocide.

From Salon

Despite the whataboutism of the counter-accusation, they’ve got a point.

From Salon

And he did so with his favorite tool: dishonest whataboutism.

From Salon

The whataboutism narrative is that this is a race between two old men.

From Salon