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.’

Related terms

• coincidence theory