New low in communication skills

I spend thirty minutes discussing the latest feature I've been assigned, trying desperately to translate my boss's vague specifications and irregular definitions so I can figure out what he wants. Finally I think I've got it.

"Oh, then you want X."
"No."

Resume "discussion", which is rapidly decaying into an argument. After ten more minutes, the boss somehow manages to spit out a detailed, nearly-coherent description. I process it for a moment...

"So... you want X." (No change in phrasing from the previous X.)
"Yes!"

...GAH.