Introducing alternatives when, in fact, there are none. This could happen when you have two mutually exclusive statements (correlative conjunction ) presented as choices, and instead of picking one or the other, introduce a third—usually as a distraction from having to choose between the two alternatives presented.
Examples:
- Rocco: Do ya have the five grand you owe me or not? Paulie: I can get it. Rocco: That means you don’t have it? Paulie: I know someone who does. Rocco: Read my lips: do you have my money or not? Paulie: No. (sound of a baseball bat breaking kneecaps )
Synonyms: denying the correlative conjunction