non sequitur

Definition

Any abrupt and inexplicable transition or occurrence.

Etymology

Learned borrowing from Latin nōn sequitur (literally “it does not follow”).

Example Sentences

• "Having a costumed superhero abduct the vicar was an utter non sequitur in the novel."
• "Non sequiturs, gratuitous acts, frustrating ellipses, ambiguities, a dearth of emotion: Miss [Lillian] Hellman avails herself of all these current techniques in telling a story that she keeps telling us may not be a story at all."
• "Ralph Wiggum is generally employed as a bottomless fount of glorious non sequiturs, but in “I Love Lisa” he stands in for every oblivious chump who ever deluded himself into thinking that with persistence, determination, and a pure heart he can win the girl of his dreams."

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