Nontroversy (non-controversy)

A “nontroversy” (or “non-troversy”) is a non-controversy or nonissue. A political issue might be a controversy to one side and a nontroversy to another side.
 
“Nontroversy” has been cited in print since at least 1998, but has become popular on blogs since 2004. A similar “controversy” neologism is the “manufactured controversy,” or “manufactroversy.”
 
   
Urban Dictionary
nontroversy
A controversy that does not exist until created for political gain. A contraction of non and controversy
Flag-burning is so rare that it is a nontroversy when used by Congress to appear to be protecting family-values.
by Quartermain Dec 9, 2006
 
nontroversy 
The result when either left or right-wing, knee-jerk reactionists try to make something seem controversial, when basically it’s not.
“For all the hot air being blown about the room last night by both the Conservatives and the Liberals, it all added up to one big NONTROVERSY.”
by Les Newman Feb 11, 2008
   
Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary
Main Entry: con·tro·ver·sy
Pronunciation: \ˈkän-trə-ˌvər-sē, British also kən-ˈträ-vər-sē\
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural con·tro·ver·sies
Etymology: Middle English controversie, from Anglo-French, from Latin controversia, from controversus disputable, literally, turned against, from contro- (akin to contra-) + versus, past participle of vertere to turn — more at worth
Date: 14th century
1 : a discussion marked especially by the expression of opposing views : dispute
2 : quarrel, strife
   
Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary
Main Entry: non·is·sue
Pronunciation: \ˈnän-ˈi-(ˌ)shü\
Function: noun
Date: 1964
: an issue of little importance, validity, or concern
     
24 August 1998, New York (NY) Post, ‘Slugger’s Little Helper Falls Fair” by Tom Keegan, pg. 7:
IT’S not a controversy; it’s a nontroversy. The pills Mark McGwire pops to increase the pop in his bat are over-the-counter substances that are not banned.
   
Google Groups: alt.slack
Newsgroups: alt.slack
From: Fat Controller
Date: 2000/04/23
Subject: I don’t give a flying fuck at a rolling donut about Elian
 
Before I once and for all dismiss this pathetic nontroversy from what, on a good day and with the wind behind me, passes as my mind, I will suggest:...
   
Google Groups: atl.sports.baseball.bos-redsox
Newsgroups: alt.sports.baseball.bos-redsox
From: Robert Egan
Date: Fri, 22 Feb 2002 21:40:03 -0500
Local: Fri, Feb 22 2002 8:40 pm
Subject: Re: New words???
 
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) wrote:
 
> Also, “nontrovercy”, though that may not be purely of my invention.
> It may have appeared prior to my use of it here earlier today.
 
According to Google, you’re the first to post it on usenet, and I got zero web page hits on AltaVista and Lycos.
 
BUT, there have been 3 threads on “nontroversy” and one web page.
   
Google Groups: alt.gothic
Newsgroups: alt.gothic
From: Joseph Brenner
Date: 09 Feb 2004 18:10:45 -0800
Local: Mon, Feb 9 2004 8:10 pm
Subject: Re: Musings: Pop Culture
 
That’s okay, just as long as we stay of of the latest non-troversy, which I’m happy to see has not popped up here,
     
Google Groups: alt.fan.rush-limbaugh
Newsgroups: alt.fan.rush-limbaugh, alt.politics.bush, talk.politics.misc
From: Frog

Date: 3 May 2004 17:25:53 +0200
Local: Mon, May 3 2004 9:25 am
Subject: Democrats Cringe When Kerry Opens His Mouth
 
. .that Kerry could be ensnared in the ribbons vs. medals nontroversy tells you why so many Democrats start to get nervous whenever the Massachusetts Senator opens his mouth without a script.
   
College News
Meghan McCain tank top twitter pic: A classic nontroversy
Meghan McCain’s “racy” photo posted on Twitter creates controversy—for all those who actually care
Juliette Geller
10/15/09
   
Chicago Now
“Meatless Mondays:” Controversy…Or Nontroversy?
Alexander Russo on 10.21.09