Go back
Weasel Words

Weasel Words

General

Clock
Vote Up
1
Vote Down
-6

Feel free to post about whatever you want but please make sure your posts are aimed at creating an impression that something specific and meaningful has been said, when in fact only a vague or ambiguous claim has been communicated.

Clock
Vote Up
3
Vote Down

@fmf said
Feel free to post about whatever you want but please make sure your posts are aimed at creating an impression that something specific and meaningful has been said, when in fact only a vague or ambiguous claim has been communicated.
Psychobabble

Clock
Vote Up
Vote Down
-3
Clock
Vote Up
Vote Down
-4

@mchill said
Psychobabble
How so?

It's simply the definition of the term "weasel words" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weasel_word

Examples include the phrases "some people say", "most people think", and "researchers believe." Using weasel words may allow one to later deny any specific meaning if the statement is challenged, because the statement was never specific in the first place. Weasel words can be a form of tergiversation and may be used in advertising, (popular) science, opinion pieces and political statements to mislead or disguise a biased view or unsubstantiated claim. Weasel words can harshen or over-state a controversial statement. An example of this is using terms like "somewhat" or "in most respects", which make a sentence more ambiguous than it would be without them.

Using weasel words may allow one to later deny any specific meaning if the statement is challenged, because the statement was never specific in the first place.

I use them sometimes in order to dilute the stridency - or emphasize the subjectivity - of what I am asserting. At times, my use of weasel words is a bit disingenuous and I have been called out for it by posters like Suzianne.

Duchess64 was the absolute Grand Master of the calculated weasel words because she clearly employed them deliberately in order to START arguments where she could immediately insist that she was the victim of pathologically dishonest racist misogynistic Sinophobic rape-apologist fellow posters.

Clock
Vote Up
1
Vote Down
-1

Most people are stupid.

Clock
1 edit
Vote Up
2
Vote Down

@fmf said
How so?

It's simply the definition of the term "weasel words" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weasel_word

[i]Examples include the phrases "some people say", "most people think", and "researchers believe." Using weasel words may allow one to later deny any specific meaning if the statement is challenged, because the statement was never specific in the first place. Weasel word ...[text shortened]... the victim of pathologically dishonest racist misogynistic Sinophobic rape-apologist fellow posters.
This is nitpicking. Back in the 70's psychobabble was thrown around liberally by many people to later deny any specific meaning if the statement is challenged, no matter if the statement was specific or not. It's been out of style for a long time, but this does not make it any less of a weasel word.

Clock
Vote Up
Vote Down
-4

@mchill said
This is nitpicking. Back in the 70's psychobabble was thrown around liberally by many people to later deny any specific meaning if the statement is challenged, no matter if the statement was specific or not. It's been out of style for a long time, but this does not make it any less of a weasel word.
Whoosh

Clock
Vote Up
Vote Down

Ask a politician.

Clock
Vote Up
Vote Down
-4

I've probably lost count of how many times someone may have said to me, in private if I recall correctly, that, people who shall remain nameless [although they purport to know what they are talking about] lots of them, apparently, no need to say exactly how many - have declared me the winner in every clash I've had on one of the forums, which may or not be this one I am posting on now.

Clock
Vote Up
Vote Down
-2

Just start with a non committal statement to verify your words.
Many believe, most professionals, 9 out of 10 etc. Once backed into a corner you can say I don't think that.

Clock
Vote Up
Vote Down
-4

@gambrel said
Just start with a non committal statement to verify your words.
Many believe, most professionals, 9 out of 10 etc. Once backed into a corner you can say I don't think that.
Some might say this post of yours is pedestrian.

Clock
Vote Up
Vote Down

i am that one dentist that does not approve of the toothpaste yer using
unless i change my mind

Clock
Vote Up
Vote Down
-3

@great-big-stees said
Most people are stupid.
LOL@ Stees. Have you ever golfed in the rain? 🙂 😛

-VR

Clock
Vote Up
Vote Down
-3

@great-big-stees said
Most people are stupid.
I think everyone has one thing they are good at!

-VR

Clock
Vote Up
Vote Down
-2

@fmf said
Some might say this post of yours is pedestrian.
"Well EX-CUUUUUUUUSE ME!"- Steve Martin

Cookies help us deliver our Services. By using our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn More.