I went to the OED for information on the origin of the phrase ‘weasel words’ expecting it to have a fine Old English Mandarin tradition.
But no – its first traces are to be found in th US Century Magazine in 1900
To use a word in an ambiguous or equivocal context, in order to hide your true meaning, or at least to give yourself some wiggle room should that prove to be necessary.
The Lib Dems could have done with some of those in their manifesto promise on student fees
