coincidence theorist

English

Etymology

From coincidence +‎ theorist.

Pronunciation
  • (UK) IPA(key): /kəʊ̯ˈɪnsɪdəns ˌθɪ.əɹɪst/
  • (General American) IPA(key): /koʊ̯ˈɪnsədəns ˌθiː.əɹɪst/

Noun

coincidence theorist (plural coincidence theorists)

  1. (chiefly derogatory) Someone who rejects the claims of conspiracy theories, believing that any observations or occurrences are just coincidences.
    • 1993, Christopher Hitchens, “Where Were You Standing?”, in For the Sake of Argument: Essays and Minority Reports, London: Verso, published 1994, →ISBN, page 11:
      Perhaps they are spoiled for choice: at all events a temperate belief in ‘coincidence theory’ has become almost mandatory in respectable circles. And the commonest thing said: by vulgar coincidence theorists in reply to vulgar conspiracy theorists is: ‘There is no smoking gun.’
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