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#Post#: 19382--------------------------------------------------
Weasel Words
By: Nikola Date: September 8, 2019, 4:22 pm
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While reading a Wikipedia article, I stumbled upon the term
"weasel words". I thought it was a really cool term because I
like weasels. I am a bit disappointed that they're seen as
animals that don't have anything meaningful to say.
Here are some definitions:
HTML https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weasel_word
HTML https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/weasel-words
I'd like to ask native speakers if they see it as an established
term or rather something new. I consulted the Ngram and the line
starts around 1900 with a peak around 1940, followed by a steep
decline and a slight increase in use in recent years.
#Post#: 19385--------------------------------------------------
Re: Weasel Words
By: Susan Date: September 8, 2019, 11:25 pm
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A ¨weasel word¨is a new concept for me. I don´t recall ever
hearing it before.
#Post#: 19391--------------------------------------------------
Re: Weasel Words
By: Truman Overby Date: September 9, 2019, 11:13 am
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I've heard and used the term 'weasel word or words' for ages. I
can't remember the first time I heard it but it's been decades,
I'm sure.
#Post#: 19393--------------------------------------------------
Re: Weasel Words
By: Nikola Date: September 9, 2019, 2:47 pm
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[quote author=Susan link=topic=1361.msg19385#msg19385
date=1568003134]
A ¨weasel word¨is a new concept for me. I don´t recall ever
hearing it before.
[/quote]
[quote author=The Artist formerly known as Truman Overby
link=topic=1361.msg19391#msg19391 date=1568045632]
I've heard and used the term 'weasel word or words' for ages. I
can't remember the first time I heard it but it's been decades,
I'm sure.
[/quote]
Interesting. Not sure what to make of this. Do both of your
states have weasels? :)
#Post#: 19394--------------------------------------------------
Re: Weasel Words
By: Chizuko hanji Date: September 9, 2019, 9:41 pm
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The Wikipedia says,
[quote]Definitions of the word 'weasel' that imply deception and
irresponsibility include: the noun form, referring to a sneaky,
untrustworthy, or insincere person; the verb form, meaning to
manipulate shiftily;[6] and the phrase "to weasel out", meaning
"to squeeze one's way out of something" or "to evade
responsibility".[7][/quote]
If it is true, it' funny. Because this role is often by fox in
Japanese. Foxes often deceive human in the old Japanese tales.
They are smart enough to make fun of human. And weasels are
probably described just like as little brothers of foxes and
they also deceive human but they are not so nasty in Japanese
stories.
#Post#: 19403--------------------------------------------------
Re: Weasel Words
By: SHL Date: September 11, 2019, 4:06 pm
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[quote author=Nikola link=topic=1361.msg19393#msg19393
date=1568058455]
[quote author=Susan link=topic=1361.msg19385#msg19385
date=1568003134]
A ¨weasel word¨is a new concept for me. I don´t recall ever
hearing it before.
[/quote]
[quote author=The Artist formerly known as Truman Overby
link=topic=1361.msg19391#msg19391 date=1568045632]
I've heard and used the term 'weasel word or words' for ages. I
can't remember the first time I heard it but it's been decades,
I'm sure.
[/quote]
Interesting. Not sure what to make of this. Do both of your
states have weasels? :)
[/quote]
I have to agree with Susan. I have never heard that expression „
a weasel word“ in my life.
If Jerry has heard it before, I have to suspect there is a
regional aspect to it. Neal could give you the New York
perspective.
I can guarantee you if you used the phrase „weasel word“ in
California, no one is going to have the slightest idea what you
are talking about.
I‘ll have to ask my mom about it. She’s 91 and has lived in
California her whole life, with a few exceptions of living in a
few other parts of the country when she was younger and we were
all much younger.
She might surprise me and say she knows what it is. She`s
surprised me before with some words, like „truck patch“, a word
no one uses anymore.
If that is the case, then I would put the phrase in the „aged“
category (what we call in German, „veraltend.“ Not totally dead,
but rarely used“. Not quite archaic yet, but moving in that
direction.
If she’s never heard it, then it has to have only some regional
use.
It’s a good expression, from reading the Wikipedia article.
#Post#: 19425--------------------------------------------------
Re: Weasel Words
By: NealC Date: September 13, 2019, 8:51 am
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Never "weasel words", but I have heard and used the word weasel
more than just to describe the animal. Someone who loses a bet
or had made a promise that they no longer want to fulfill we say
they are trying to "weasel out" of their commitment or promise.
It is really a rather descriptive phrase.
Think of grabbing a weasel and how they would twist and turn and
writhe to get free. That is the mental or verbal gymnastics of
someone weaseling out. Be careful using the phrase, you can use
it good naturedly among friends but strangers might take it as
an insult, just under calling them a liar.
#Post#: 19433--------------------------------------------------
Re: Weasel Words
By: SHL Date: September 13, 2019, 10:12 am
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[quote author=NealC link=topic=1361.msg19425#msg19425
date=1568382673]
Never "weasel words", but I have heard and used the word weasel
more than just to describe the animal. Someone who loses a bet
or had made a promise that they no longer want to fulfill we say
they are trying to "weasel out" of their commitment or promise.
It is really a rather descriptive phrase.
Think of grabbing a weasel and how they would twist and turn and
writhe to get free. That is the mental or verbal gymnastics of
someone weaseling out. Be careful using the phrase, you can use
it good naturedly among friends but strangers might take it as
an insult, just under calling them a liar.
[/quote]
Yes I think Neal confirmed that the phrase a „weasel word“ is
not an American expression. To call someone a weasel is quite
derogatory, like calling someone a rat, and as a verb, to try
and weasel out of a situation also carries very negative
connotation.
#Post#: 19434--------------------------------------------------
Re: Weasel Words
By: Nikola Date: September 13, 2019, 11:57 am
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[quote author=SHL link=topic=1361.msg19433#msg19433
date=1568387537]
Yes I think Neal confirmed that the phrase a „weasel word“ is
not an American expression.
[/quote]
Well, if Neal confirmed it, then it's official. And now a lawyer
confirmed what Neal had said so it must be, like, 100% true. I
always suspected Jerry wasn't a real American. Something about
him just doesn't add up.
#Post#: 19435--------------------------------------------------
Re: Weasel Words
By: Truman Overby Date: September 13, 2019, 1:26 pm
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[quote author=Nikola link=topic=1361.msg19434#msg19434
date=1568393844]
[quote author=SHL link=topic=1361.msg19433#msg19433
date=1568387537]
Yes I think Neal confirmed that the phrase a „weasel word“ is
not an American expression.
[/quote]
Well, if Neal confirmed it, then it's official. And now a lawyer
confirmed what Neal had said so it must be, like, 100% true. I
always suspected Jerry wasn't a real American. Something about
him just doesn't add up.
[/quote]
I'm more American than Uncle Sam himself. 8)
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