Weasel words are a linguistic concept referring to words or phrases that are intentionally vague, misleading, or ambiguous. Their origins can be traced back to various cultural references, such as the egg-eating habits of weasels, ancient Greek beliefs, and mentions in historical literature. These words often take the form of numerically vague expressions, illogical statements, or the use of passive voice and middle voice to create false authority. Commonly found in various forms of communication such as publicité[1], political statements, and opinion pieces, their use can often result in misunderstanding or manipulation of information. While they can be difficult to identify, linguistic algorithms and careful scrutiny can aid in detection. It’s crucial to be aware of weasel words to maintain credibility and clear communication.
A weasel wordou anonymous authority, is a word and phrase aimed at creating an impression that something specific and meaningful has been said when in fact only a vague, ambiguous, or irrelevant claim has been communicated. The terms may be considered informal. Examples include the phrases "some people say", "it is thought", 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.
FR 
NL 
EN 
PT