- This is novel compounding of two terms: stall and factor. Stall is used in its normal verb form meaning to delay or slow down and so is factor in the meaning of a component in causing something, such as the 'key factor' in bringing something about.
stall factor
colloquial(ly) noun
something used to avoid answering a question or to avoid doing what was requested
Etymology : The colloquial usage of the meaning to hold back in an army maneuver, used in the early 1400s.
Source : "That's a stall factor. Now, answer the question." (December 2011)
Last modified: 6 December 2011