A “weasel” is a word or term
that modifies a claim or statement. It is a favorite tool of lawyers that makes
you think you are hearing what you really aren’t. Can they be accused of false
advertising? No! They “weaseled” out of the claim. Weasels appear abundantly in
advertising spiels with words like: should/could/may/will/can/
most-times/mostly/usually/ in the majority of cases/helps/the appearance of/as
much as/reduces/believed to/seem to have/up to/ as soon as/ supports.
They make you think you are
being promised something. You aren’t. Don’t ever try to sue in court over this
claim, because any lawyer will point out that what you think they promised
isn’t so. They only said “helps minimize
the appearance of scars.” . Not “heals
or gets rid of them.” (catch the two weasels). That’s why legal departments of
ad agencies love them.
Make a list of weasel words you hear in the next ad you
see.
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