Never Use Weasel Words

Never use weasel words to back up from a position that you have taken in any of your presentations. Take a position and then provide clear and convincing, persuasive reasons for your beliefs.  Don't use these weasel words out of fear of offending somebody. Or just don't  say anything on that issue at all.


Justin Trudeau, the son of former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau, recently fell into this "weasel word" tactic, apparently fearful of offending some people, although when you read the newspaper column  where  columnistNaomi Lakritz describes this incident it's obvious the word he said he would have chosen would not describe his real feelings on the issue of "honour killings".


He publicly objected to the use of"barbaric" in a Canadian citizenship guide to describe Canada's stance on honour killing and other violence against women.


He said that term  should have been  changed to "unacceptable"  or words to that effect instead of the term "barbaric practice" published in the guide.


The writer or writers and editor or editors of this guide were dead-on in their use of "barbaric". There is no gentler way to describe this custom and Trudeau should have realized that. Ironically his Father, a man who never minced  his words would not likely have tried to appease others like this for no reason. 


Copy the example of the writers and editors of the new Canadian citizenship  guide in your presentations. Avoid "weasel words" that retreat from your true position on issues. Just make sure you can justify the words and expressions you do use.


Also copy the example of  Elizabeth Taylor, who during her lifetime  not only became one of the greatest of movie stars through the roles she played but also had the courage to stand up for what she believed in -- such as her efforts to help AIDS sufferers when most of friends were turning their backs on them -- and her.


Her efforts and presentations to persuade more and better care for them -- many of whom became victims of AIDS through no fault of their own --   helped many of these persons to find better care.


The point I am trying to make with all of this of course is to have the courage to stand up for your beliefs and present your ideas clearly and with conviction -- and not resort to weasel  words.




For a fuller discussion of this issue see Naomi  Lakritz' column in the Vancouver Sun Saturday, March 19, 2011. Click on: vancouversun.com. Lakritz wries for the Postmedia News