[L., lit. ‘thou also,’ Eng. slang ‘you’re another!’] An argument that consists in retorting a charge upon one’s accuser. Also attrib.
[1614. J. Cooke (title), Greenes Tu quoque, Or, The Cittie Gallant. Ibid., E ij b. Rash.… M. Bubble, God saue you. Bub. Tu quoque Sir. Ibid., G j b. Bub.… I want the Bone Ioure, and the Tu quoques, Which yonder Gentleman has.]
1671. Shadwell, Humorist, II. 28. Nay Sir, I say nothing, Mum is the Italian tu quoque word.
1838. Lytton, Alice, III. iv. No man knew better the rhetorical effect of the tu quoque form of argument.
1874. J. O. Dykes, Relations Kingd. to World, II. 107. The tu quoque rejoinder, ‘Physician heal thyself,’ is in its place here.
a. 1903. ‘H. S. Merriman,’ Last Hope, v. I leave myself open to a tu quoque, I know.
