a word used to temper the forthrightness of a statement; a word that makes one's views equivocal, misleading, or confusing.
Origin
1895-1900, Americanism
Related forms
weasel-worded, adjective
British Dictionary definitions for weasel words
weasel words
plural noun
1.
(informal) intentionally evasive or misleading speech; equivocation
Derived Forms
weasel-worded, adjective
Word Origin
C20: alluding to the weasel's supposed ability to suck an egg out of its shell without seeming to break the shell
Slang definitions & phrases for weasel words
weasel words
noun phrase
Language designed to deceive; empty talk; self-serving verbiage
[1900+; words as empty as an eggshell that a weasel has sucked]
Idioms and Phrases with weasel words
weasel word
A word used to deprive a statement of its force or evade a direct commitment, as in Calling it “organized spontaneity” is using a weasel word; “organized” has sucked the meaning out of “spontaneity.” This idiom may allude to the weasel's habit of sucking the contents out of a bird's egg, so that only the shell remains. [ Late 1800s ]