{{short description|Discussion that has continued to the point of nausea}} {{otheruses}} {{titlelang|la}} {{Infobox phrase | title = ad nauseam | origin = Latin | meaning = "to the point of nausea" }}
'''''{{lang|la|Ad nauseam}}''''' is a Latin term used to describe an argument or a discussion that has been extended to the figurative point of nausea.<ref>{{cite book| title=Amo, Amas, Amat and More| url=https://archive.org/details/amoamasamatmore00ehrl| url-access=registration| first=Eugene| last=Ehrlich| year=1985| page=[https://archive.org/details/amoamasamatmore00ehrl/page/25 25]| publisher=Harper & Row, Publishers| location=New York}}</ref><ref>[http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/ad%20nauseam "ad nauseam" definition] Dictionary.com</ref> For example, "this has been discussed ''{{lang|la|ad nauseam}}''" indicates that the topic has been discussed extensively and those involved have grown sick of it.
The fallacy of dragging the conversation to an ''ad nauseam'' state in order to then assert one's position as correct due to it not having been contradicted is also called '''''{{lang|la|argumentum ad infinitum}}''''' (to infinity) and '''argument from repetition'''.<ref name="AHD">{{cite web|title=Ad nauseam|url=https://www.ahdictionary.com/word/search.html?q=ad%20nauseam|publisher=American Heritage Dictionary|access-date=21 July 2016}}</ref>
The term is defined by the ''American Heritage Dictionary'' as "to a disgusting or ridiculous degree; to the point of nausea".<ref name="AHD" /> Colloquially, it is sometimes used as "until nobody cares to discuss it any more".<ref name="AHD">{{cite web|title=Ad nauseam|url=https://www.ahdictionary.com/word/search.html?q=ad%20nauseam|publisher=American Heritage Dictionary|access-date=21 July 2016}}</ref>
==Origin== ''ad nauseam'' originates as a Latin expression, translating to "to nausea". It combines the preposition ''ad'' ("to") with ''nauseam'' the accusative case of ''nausea'' ("nausea" or "seasickness").<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.etymonline.com/word/ad%20nauseam |title=ad nauseam |publisher=Online Etymology Dictionary|access-date=7 February 2026}}</ref> This term ''nausea'' traces back to Ancient Greek ''nausía'', denoting "seasickness" and stemming from ''naûs'' ("ship").<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ad%20nauseam |title=Ad Nauseam |publisher=Merriam-Webster |access-date=7 February 2026}}</ref> In English, the phrase appeared during the mid 16th century. The earliest documented instance occurs in a 1565 translation by John Hall, where it describes continuation to the point of inducing disgust.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.oed.com/dictionary/ad-nauseam_adv |title=ad nauseam, adv.: meanings, etymology and more |publisher=Oxford English Dictionary |access-date=7 February 2026}}</ref> By 1644, usage had become more established, often meaning excessive repetition that leads to weariness.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ad%20nauseam |title=Ad Nauseam |publisher=Merriam-Webster |access-date=7 February 2026}}</ref> During the 17th century, the expression got higher usage in English literature and discourse, particularly for critiquing repetitive debates or ideas.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dictionary.com/browse/ad-nauseam |title=AD NAUSEAM Definition & Meaning |publisher=Dictionary.com |access-date=7 February 2026}}</ref>
==See also==<!-- Please respect alphabetical order --> *''Ad libitum'' *Big lie *''Carthago delenda est'' *Filibuster *Godwin's law *List of Latin phrases *Proof by assertion *Pressure ulcer *Rumination (psychology) *Rut (roads) *Sealioning *Sisyphus *Thought-terminating cliché
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{wiktionary-inline}}
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Category:Latin logical phrases Category:Latin words and phrases Category:English phrases Category:English words and phrases
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