Some sites suggest that you avoid Weasel Words, but how can you steer clear of them if you don’t know what they are? That’s why we are going to consider them in this post. By definition, weasel words “suck the life” out of the words they are near, rendering them weak and lifeless…similar to the eggs left after the weasel has had dinner. (Apparently weasels don’t actually suck the eggs out, but they do tend to leave empty shells behind.) In trying to keep your piece strong, you certainly don’t want any dull or boring, lifeless words, so it might be a good idea to at least be aware of weasel words.
Why Weasel?
A multitude of explanations exist for why the term ‘weasel’ is used, but none of them are accepted as the true and correct account. In addition to Shakespeare’s mentioning the habit of weasels sucking eggs (twice), both Theodore Roosevelt and Stewart Chaplin used similar phrasings in the early 1900s when they described ‘weasel words’ in relation to political posturing. Roosevelt said that he preferred a particular platform because it contained no weasel words, and Chaplin wrote a short story where a politician said that his platform, as most, was full of weasel words. In both cases they were referring to positions that had lost their potency because of these weasel words.
An earlier tale referencing weasels is when Hercules was born. As his mother was about to give birth, her servant Galanthis announced his birth early…foiling the conspiracy of the goddess Lucina to prevent his birth. In retribution, Lucina transformed Galanthis into a weasel, because “her lying mouth helped in childbirth”. From that we get the idea that weasels are tricky, dishonest, or deceitful. Weasel words are also misleading, giving meaning where none should be.
Whatever the source, and despite the fact that weasels don’t actually suck eggs, the term seems to have stuck, so we’ll deal with it when we see it.
Examples of Weasel Words
Weasel words can be grouped into a few main types: numerical, passive, or adverbs that weaken. All of these often appear in copy that is intended to influence decision making, such as adverts and political rhetoric. Frequently you’ll hear about “some people” who believe or support something…but who are they? Do you trust them? Just how many of them are there?? What about claims that “many experts recommend” this item? Does that have any power to influence you? Again, how many, who are they, and what exactly do they recommend? Consider something that is “up to 50% off”…well, if it is only ONE percent off, then it is “up to” 50%, so that phrase doesn’t really mean much, yet it may cause you to consider a purchase.
We’ve seen Passive Voice being used when we don’t know who the actor in a statement is, but it is also used to avoid responsibility. Instead of saying, “We made a mistake”, you’ll hear, “A mistake was made.” No one is admitting fault, so there can be no punishment. Would you buy something that “experience shows that” it is good? Whose experience? What did they experience? How does their experience connect to the product? And if “common sense insists” you should do it, should you? Are we to make decisions based on what “everyone else” thinks or does? “No product is better” would be true even if no product were worse.
Good Claims Don’t Have Weasel Words
Now that you know what weasel words are, you can strengthen your assertions as you write. Say what you mean, and say it with conviction. Don’t be wishy-washy or wimpy. State your case and stand behind it.