Words of the Weasel Part 1.

Below is my personal collection of weasel words and phrases. These are virtuous sounding things that actually mean little, or worse mean the opposite of what one would expect. They violate the good writing principles of “call a spade a spade” and use the fewest words necessary to carry the thought across the divide between speaker and listener. TV personalities, salesmen, or politicians using any of these phrases should be treated with suspicion.

At this point in time

“Now” means the same thing and is shorter and clearer. The only reason to use the longer and wordier form is to obfusticate or to seem profound when in actual fact you have nothing worthwhile to say.

Stand up to

Typically used by politicians as in “I stood up to special interests” or “I stood up to the other party”. The phrase suggests virtuous opposition to bad policies and bad people. It fails to express where the speaker is really coming from. It’s nice that the speaker opposes somebody or other, but opposition without presenting a policy alternative is mere obstructionism. The phrase is often used to avoid advocating a policy out of fear that taking a stand will make more enemies than friends.

Process

An important sounding but vague word used to give a sense of institution and permanence. For instance “The diplomatic process” sounds more general and permanent than “The peace negotiations”. “The judicial process” sounds grander than “trial”. “The electoral process” is wordier than “election”.