Godwin's law states that as time passes in any (internet) discussion, the probability of a Hitler or Nazi reference or analogy approaches 1.
There are a crapton of resources that explore Godwin's Law. Being a law, it means that it's a solid, reliable and widely accepted fact that is bound to pop up in any given situation.
Most often used by people trying to solidify an argument against any sort of institution or just trying to get some "historical basis" for whatever they're talking about. It also works as a great scapegoat maneuver: Restaurant burn your food? It wasn't the only thing they were cooking in those ovens. Someone tell you to keep your opinion to yourself at a time where doing so would be a really great idea? They're a Nazi. Parents say no? Sorry buddy, but they're actually Hitler in disguise.
Invoking Godwin's law usually signals that a person has nothing else to fall back on in an argument or conversation. It's easy to just up and say that the Nazis did it and that the situation, person, whatever is similar. If someone were to pull this on you in a chat or discussion, just roll your eyes and walk away - you won the moment the N- or H- words came out.
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