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Nuclear and Climate issues, Weasel Words and Omissions – theme for February 2014

I believe that “weasel words”and omissions, are often used by pro nuclear propagandists.  For omissions, there really are plenty of examples. A pro nuclear writer will often completely ignore a major issue, such as costs of waste disposal, or risks of terrorism.

However, of course it is true that anti-nuclear writers can also omit issues, and can also use “weasel words”.   So as in shopping – it’s “buyer beware” – so, on nuclear (and climate) issues  – it’s reader beware.

 It has long been a widespread belief that weasels suck the yolks from bird’s eggs, leaving only the empty shell. This belief is the basis of the term ‘weasel words’, used to describe statements that have had the life sucked out of them.

Wikipedia.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weasel_word- The expression refers to words that are added to make a statement sound more legitimate and impressive but which are in fact unsubstantiated and meaningless. Examples of weasel words are ‘people say that…’, ‘studies show that…’, ‘up to 50% or more…’.

A weasel word (also, anonymous authority) is an informal term for equivocating words and phrases aimed at creating an impression that something specific and meaningful has been said, when in fact only a vague or ambiguous claim has been communicated.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weasel_word

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style/Words_to_watch “Weasel words” are statements which appear to assert something but subtly imply something different, opposite, or stronger in the way they are made. A common form of weasel wording is through vague attribution, where a statement is dressed with authority with no substantial basis. 

February 9, 2014 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Uncategorized