"Signals" Nominated as Best Weasel Word for 2010

[gulliver]

When someone wants to avoid using the words "says" or "does," they have no better alternative than "signals." This word shields its users from obsolete and laborious journalistic practices such as including quotes and accurate descriptions of actions taken. I am, therefore, proud to be the first to nominate "signals" as the Best Weasel Word for 2010.

[sketchy]

1. Seconded!

"Signals" has been all over what passes for news lately, and it's annoying.

[mix]

2. "Hope" and "Change" are pretty weasel-esque in 2010. nt

[Chulanowa]

7. "Progressive" is still the reigning weasel word though

[HCE SuiGeneris]

3. I give this OP my unmitigated once-over.

[TheWatcher]

4. Along with "Robust", "Unexpected", "Hope", "Change", "Tweaks", etc, etc, etc.

[bemildred]

5. And right behind that is "Report:". nt

[Lex]

6. Does this signal a sea change at the end of the day?

nt

[bemildred]

8. I think it's linked to increasing declines in public perception of improvement. nt

[felix_numinous]

9. Isn't there a whole weasel dictionary around somewhere?

Great idea, we could actually have a weekly weasel word and never run out of them.

[Sinistrous]

10. Whatever happened to "Optics"? n/t