Kenobi-ism

noun - an idiom used in a declarative statement which is true - but only from a certain point of view.

Kenobi-isms are often used when attempting to make complex issues seem simple, or trying to prove a point with statistical data - this makes them a favourite of politicians, religious leaders, and high-school science teachers.

The name Kenobi-ism refers to the Star Wars character Obiwan Kenobi and a plot-critical statement that he makes to a young Luke Skywalker in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope:

"A young Jedi named Darth Vader, who was a pupil of mine until he turned to evil, helped the Empire hunt down and destroy the Jedi knights. He betrayed and murdered your father."

Luke eventually discovers the truth about his father and (2 movies later) confronts Obiwan accusing him of lying, to which Obiwan replies:

"So, what I told you was true... from a certain point of view. ... Luke, you're going to find that many of the truths we cling to depend greatly on our own point of view."

"I'm afraid that the Health Secretary is using a blatant Kenobi-ism there... Whilst it's true to say that the government spent more on public health this year than ever before, in real terms - accounting for inflation - this amount is 10% less than was spent 5 years ago."

kenobi-ism

A statement which is true ... from a certain point of view.

The defining Kenobi-ism: “A young Jedi named Darth Vader, who was a pupil of mine until he turned to evil, helped the Empire hunt down and destroy the Jedi Knights. He betrayed and murdered your father.”