a.k.a. Argumentum ad verecundiam a.k.a. Argument d'autorité Whatever the language, it sucks. As far as I can remember I always considered arguments from authority as the crappiest things I could ear, because as a child, it often meant I was too inquisitive, too logical, and therefore impertinent for the adults around me. At school I would be put in the dog box. At home I would get a slap or two in my face to teach me that being curious is naughty and definitely not a trait of character I should hang to. I didn't know it had a name....