Resolve the user's request to a pattern number (1-36). Use the lookup table below. Match on:
- Number ("pattern 17", "#17", "explain 17")
- Canonical name ("em dash overuse", "rule of three", "significance inflation")
- Short phrase or synonym ("em dashes", "the triple thing", "those vibrant adjectives")
If the match is ambiguous or you cannot resolve it, list 2-4 plausible candidates with their numbers and short names, and ask the user to pick. Do not guess.
If the user asked about a pattern that does not exist (e.g. "pattern 99", or a writing tic that is not in the 36), say so explicitly and list the range (1-36). Do not invent a pattern.
Read the catalogue entry for the ID, then the matching patterns/NN-name.md evidence note.
Explain the pattern in your own words. Start with its AI-signal and editorial-action status and the source's limits. Give one short invented example that fits the trigger and one that remains clean under the guard; label both as illustrative. Explain any fact-safe repair. Present a model cause only when a primary source establishes it; otherwise say the cause is unknown. A retired entry explains why its former signal was withdrawn.

Lookup table

#	Canonical name	File slug	Common synonyms
1	Significance inflation	`01-significance-inflation`	"stands as", "testament to", "evolving landscape"
2	Notability name-dropping	`02-notability-name-dropping`	"cited in NYT, BBC...", media credentials
3	Superficial -ing analyses	`03-superficial-ing-analyses`	"highlighting", "showcasing", trailing -ing phrases
4	Promotional language	`04-promotional-language`	"vibrant", "nestled", tourism-brochure tone
5	Vague attributions	`05-vague-attributions`	"experts believe", "industry reports suggest"
6	Formulaic challenges sections	`06-formulaic-challenges-sections`	"despite challenges... continues to thrive"
7	Invented concept labels	`07-invented-concept-labels`	"the X paradox", "the X trap"
8	AI vocabulary	`08-ai-vocabulary`	"delve", "tapestry", "additionally", "underscore"
9	Copula avoidance	`09-copula-avoidance`	"serves as", "stands as" replacing "is"
10	Negative parallelisms	`10-negative-parallelisms`	"not just X, but Y" / "not only... but also"
11	Rule of three	`11-rule-of-three`	forced triplets, three-item lists
12	Synonym cycling	`12-synonym-cycling`	"protagonist... main character... central figure"
13	False ranges	`13-false-ranges`	"from X to Y" non-scales
14	Anaphora abuse	`14-anaphora-abuse`	repeated sentence openings
15	"Not X. Not Y. Just Z."	`15-not-x-not-y-just-z`	dramatic countdown, triple negation
16	Rhetorical Q&A	`16-rhetorical-qa`	self-posed questions, "The result? X."
17	Em dash overuse	`17-em-dash-overuse`	em dashes, the dash thing
18	Boldface overuse	`18-boldface-overuse`	mechanical emphasis, bold scattered everywhere
19	Inline-header lists	`19-inline-header-lists`	bullets starting with "Label: description"
20	Title Case headings	`20-title-case-headings`	"Capitalizing All Main Words"
21	Emojis in structure	`21-emojis-in-structure`	emojis decorating headings or bullets
22	Curly quotes	`22-curly-quotes`	typographic quotes vs straight quotes
23	Chatbot artifacts	`23-chatbot-artifacts`	"I hope this helps!", "Certainly!", "Of course!"
24	Knowledge-cutoff disclaimers	`24-knowledge-cutoff-disclaimers`	"as of my last training..."
25	Sycophantic tone	`25-sycophantic-tone`	"Great question!", "You're absolutely right!"
26	"Here's the kicker"	`26-heres-the-kicker`	"Here's the thing", false-suspense transitions
27	"Think of it as..."	`27-think-of-it-as`	"Think of it like", "Imagine it as"
28	"Imagine a world where..."	`28-imagine-a-world-where`	AI futurism invitations
29	Disclosure without substance	`29-false-vulnerability`	former name: false vulnerability; first-person disclosure that adds no substance
30	Filler phrases	`30-filler-phrases`	"in order to", "due to the fact that"
31	Excessive hedging	`31-excessive-hedging`	"could potentially possibly be argued"
32	"The truth is simple"	`32-the-truth-is-simple`	"the reality is simpler", asserted obviousness
33	Generic positive conclusions	`33-generic-positive-conclusions`	"the future looks bright", "exciting times ahead"
34	Uniform sentence rhythm	`34-uniform-sentence-rhythm`	low burstiness, sentences all the same length, robotic cadence
35	Aphoristic paragraph closers	`35-aphoristic-closers`	every paragraph ends on a kicker, balanced epigrams
36	Reflexive formality	`36-reflexive-formality`	no contractions, "do not / cannot / it is", stiff tone

Notes

This skill has no Bash, no Write, no Edit, no WebFetch. It reads its local catalogue and deep-dive files. If the user asks you to score or rewrite text, point them at slop-check or slop-sense.
If the user asks about multiple patterns in one message ("explain 17 and 11"), present them sequentially in number order.
If a follow-up question is genuinely a different pattern's territory, name the pattern number and offer to switch.

slop-explain

Slop Explain: Pattern Deep-Dives

Workflow