sophist; quibbler; person who argues with twisted logic
A derogatory term for someone who persistently uses far-fetched or hair-splitting arguments to avoid admitting they are wrong. Often implies stubbornness and a love of argument for its own sake.
He's a quibbler who tries to argue you down no matter what you say.
Arguing with that sophist is a waste of time.
Refers to the twisted logic itself, while 屁理屈屋 refers to the person who habitually uses such logic.
A person who is overly logical or argumentative, but without the strong negative connotation of using absurd reasoning.
Compound of 屁理屈 (twisted logic, from 屁 'fart' + 理屈 'logic') and 屋 (suffix for a person with a certain trait). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word is conventionally associated with the idea of using foul or nonsensical reasoning.