What Are Weasel Words?

Weasel words are a way for a writer, commentator or speaker to slip personal opinion into what is being said, and to do it in such a way that it sounds credible, even if, and sometimes especially if, the information is not verifiable.

The most popular weasel words and phrases include:

* "Some..."
* "Most...."
* "Many..."
* "A lot..."
* "More and more..."
* "Critics say...."
* "Experts agree..."

Opinion piece writing, such as opinion editorials and opinion commentary, will likely use weasel words more than fact-based writing. However, even in opinion-based writing, the use of weasel words weakens one's overall argument or stance by not providing any credible evidence to support the position or stance of the opinion.

For example, if a writer holds a personal opinion that driving too fast is a bad idea, that writer might say something like this:

"Many drivers exceed the posted speed limit..."

Can you define 'many'? How many is many? See, I can make the statement and you really cannot refute my statement because, depending on how you view it, it might be true or it might not. It's all going to depend on what 'many' means, to you. Without any facts or stats to back that up, 'many' can mean just about anything I want it to.

Also, the inverse of that statement can also be true.

"Many drivers stay below the posted speed limit...."

If 'many' cannot be quantified, as you can see, both statements can invariably be true, without the other statement being untrue.

Now, if writing an opinion piece, some weasel words might be acceptable, but wouldn't the opinion piece - and most definitely factual/informational content - be stronger and make a better point if it had real information?

For example, "A survey by (name who did the survey) says that 90% of all drivers on the road exceed the posted limit..."

Which is stronger:

"Many do this...."

~OR~

"90% do this..."

Clearly, the second one is stronger.

Now, why are they called weasel words?

Because this is a trick that is usually used by a writer or speaker when they are wanting to push their opinion in their writing or speaking, but they do not have the information or sometimes even the truth on their side. They want to 'weasel' out of giving cold, hard information and facts (often because the facts do not support their position).

Yes, 'often' is a weasel word phrase too!

If you've ever tried to edit or use Wikipedia, you probably know, they are very much against weasel words. Why? Because, strange as it may seem to think of them as a wholly reliable source, Wikipedia is trying to be an online 'living' encyclopedia, and weasel words are not quantifiable.

If you are writing fact/informational-based articles or content, avoid weasel words completely, and be sure to back up your assertions with stats or facts with a reliable source. If you are writing opinion pieces, and you feel you must use weasels words, be prepared to have someone come along and slam your opinion as groundless or not based on fact, and be prepared to defend your position.

While it's true that one can find a stat to support just about any opinion one might have, a fact or stat is still preferable to a weasel word that is lazy and possibly indicative of intentional desire to sway opinion without providing any proof of that viewpoint.

While reading content on the internet, keep your eye open for the use of weasel words, and you might find yourself a bit less gullible when reading things on the internet! If content contains a significant amount of weasel words, you might want to verify the information the writer is relaying before believing it.

For writers, review your own writing and try to remove weasel words wherever you can or back them up with solid, useful, quantifiable information. Not only will your writing be stronger, but it's easier to brand yourself as a reputable source of information for which your readership will return.