mathwash
v. To use mathematics, logic, or a similar rational argument to make something inherently subjective appear to be objective.
Other Forms
Etymology
Examples
2016
Mathwash — verb; the ability for anyone to sex up common procedures as having a certain rational, mathematical basis, even when they don't.
—Robert Jackson, “Mathwash - verb; the…,” Twitter, May 12, 2016
2016
Statistics (def.): mathwashing
—Brian Donnelly, “Statistics (def.)…,” Twitter, May 11, 2016
2016 (earliest)
The issue is definitional: "algorithm" has been used to mathwash functionality that would otherwise be considered arbitrary with objectivity
—Fred Benenson, “The issue is…,” Twitter, May 09, 2016
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