Weaselers

Linguistic methods of hedging a bet

They help protect statements from criticisms by weakening it and giving the claims
author a way out in case the claim is challenged
Ex. Three out of four dentists surveyed recommended sugarless gum for their patients
who chew gum.
Contains two weaseling expressions:
1st The word surveyed.
Notice that the ad does not tell us the criteria for choosing the dentists who were
surveyed whether they were picked random or were they not in favour with gum
chewing? It does not indicate the general population of dentists. If pp per cent of the
dentists in the country disagree with the ads claim, its authors could still say
truthfully that they spoke only about those dentists surveyed, not all dentists.
2nd :for their patients who chew gum
Notice that the ad does not claim that any dentist believes sugarless-gum chewing is
as good for a patients teeth as no gum chewing at all.
The weaselers allow the advertisement to get away with what sounds like an
unqualified recommendation for sugarless gum, when in fact nothing in the ad
supports such a recommendation.
Words such as perhaps, possibly, maybe and may be, are used to produce
innuendo or to plant suggestion without making a claim that a person can held to. But not
every use of words like these is a weaselling one.
Ex. #1 It is possible that she is a liar.
Ex. #2 Of course, it is possible that she is lying. the detective may simply be exercising
due care.
Downplayers
Attempt to make someone or something look less important or significant.
Stereotypes, rhetorical comparisons, rhetorical explanations and innuendo can all be used
to downplay something.
Ex. Dont mind what Mr. Pierce says in class, hes a liberal.
This attempts to downplay Mr. Pierce and whatever views he expresses in class makes use
of a stereotype.
We can also downplay by careful insertion of certain words or other devices.
Horse Laugh/Ridicule/Sarcasm
Includes the use of ridicule of all kinds. (ridicule- ideas or beliefs that you make fun in an
unkind way)
Telling an unrelated joke, using sarcastic language or simply laugh at the person who is
trying to make a point.
Ex. Damon is an airhead.
Hyperbole
Extravagant overstatement.
A claim that exaggerates for effect depending on the strength of its language and the
point being made.
-Ex. Using the word fascist (people who has authority or strong control on society) to
describe parents who insist that their teenager be home by midnight.
Dysphemism (substitution of a disagreeable or offensive expression) and rhetorical
comparison often involves hyperbole.
Hyperbole is frequently used in ridicule.
It involves exaggeration or a piece of ridicule that counts as hyperbole.
A claim can be hyperbolic without containing excessively emotive words or phrases.
Ex. Parents who are strict about curfew are fascists.
It is claiming a strong or exaggerated statement because instead of using the word
mean, we substitute it for fascists.
Proof Surrogates
Expression used to suggest there is evidence or authority for a claim without actually
citing such evidence or authority.
Using informed sources say in making a claim more authoritative; its obvious that
precedes a claim that isnt obvious at all; Studies show in advertising.
They are not real proof or evidence.