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Some experts assert a weasel word is a word that is intended to, or has the effect of, softening the force of a potentially loaded or otherwise controversial statement, or avoids forming a clear position on a particular issue. The quintessential example of weasel words is the phrase "Some people say".

Misplaced Pages has a style guide entitled Avoid weasel words which strongly discourages the use of weasel words. However, a minority of editors feel that weasel words are helpful and appropriate in some cases. In these instances, some editors feel that we should embrace weasel words, not avoid them.

Weasel Words: The very first baby-step towards good writing

In all our haste to avoid weasel words, we sometimes forget that weasel words can be a big improvement when compared with just stating opinions as fact. Consider the following example:

Bad: Montreal is the nicest city in the world

Better!: Some people say Montreal is the nicest city in the world

Best: (but not what newbies would write) The Canadian National Tourism Council awarded Montreal the title of "Nicest city in the world" from 1999 to 2003 and again in 2006.

Most anti-Weaselites will criticize the second sentence for using the words "Some people", however, in adding the weasel words, we have taken a falsehood and made it into a truth per se. Those three special little words "some people say", are an improvement on the first sentence, despite the statement not being verified (or verifiable) as is.

Even though sentences with weasel words often introduce NPOV problems, they may be an important step on the road to good writing. So don't bite the newbies when they embrace weasel words.

Conserving brain space

Some neuroscientists claim that every time you learn a new fact, you must necessarily forget some other fact in order to make room for the new fact to fit inside your head. (Admittedly, neuroscientists who subscribe to this theory invariably cannot recall why they believe it, and if you try to explain to them why the theory is flawed, they will run from the room while shrieking loudly, lest your teachings cause them to forget their happiest childhood memory.)

Though the science may be flawed, the point is valid: don't bother the readers with details they don't need to know. Don't tell them a name if they don't need to know it. Instead, embrace weasel words, and back those weasel words up with a citation:

Bad: His critics have suggested that John Smith may be a functional illiterate.

Better: Author Ed Jones, in his book John Smith is an Idiot, wrote an open letter to Smith asking, "John, are you able to read and write on an adult level?'"

Best!: One author even suggested that John Smith may be a functional illiterate.

If a belief is sufficiently prevalent, we shouldn't let weaselphobia stop us from clearly saying so. There's no need to clutter up the writing by picking some random person who has that belief and dragging him into the text. Just tell the facts--- don't think that the words "some people" are profanities.

Bad: Mr. Guy WhoIsntFamous and others like him believe Bigfoot exists, but most experts are skeptical.

Good!: While some people believe Bigfoot exists, most experts are skeptical.

In some cases, a viewpoint isn't particularly prevalent and its adherent isn't particularly famous. Many people may have a legitimate reason to mention the viewpoint, but we don't want to trouble the reader with names they don't really need to know. In this case, we can still use weasel words, but it's essential that they be backed up with a good citation:

Bad: Some people believe the Flying Spaghetti Monster exists, but most experts are skeptical.

Better: Some people, such as Mr. Guy WhoIsntFamous, believe the Flying Spaghetti Monster exists, but most experts are skeptical.

Best!: Some people believe the Flying Spaghetti Monster exists, but most experts are skeptical.

Other times to embrace weasel words

Avoid weasel words gives examples of some other cases where weasel words are good:

• When the belief or opinion is actually the topic of discussion.

"In the Middle Ages, most people believed that the Sun revolved around the Earth."

• When the holders of the opinion are too diverse or numerous to qualify.

"Some people prefer dogs as pets; others prefer cats."

• When contrasting a minority opinion, it's not necessary to source the majority opinion when describing the minority one.

"Although Brahms's work is part of the classical music canon, Benjamin Britten has questioned its value."

When not to embrace

It is assumed by many that weasel words may improve readability and verifiability, but they are often the hallmark of serious NPOV problems. You should avoid controversial weasel words that aren't backed up by citation. There are other situations where weasel words absolutely should be avoided:

• If you couldn't back them up with a citation if you were asked to, don't use them.
• If the opinion itself isn't notable, don't mention it-- to do so may be giving it undue weight.
• If the "some people" are particularly noteworthy, don't call them "some people", just name them instead.

See also

• Weasel word
• Misplaced Pages:Avoid weasel words
• Misplaced Pages:Avoid peacock terms
• Misplaced Pages:Words to avoid
• Misplaced Pages:Guide to writing better articles

References

1. Ed Jones,(1607) John Smith is an Idiot, Jamestown Publishing
2. Guy WhoIsntFamous, (1996) The Flying Spaghetti Monster and Me, Pendant Publishing

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