Weaselling: meaning, definitions and examples
🦡
weaselling
[ˈwiːzəlɪŋ ]
Definition
evasive behavior
Weaselling refers to the act of avoiding commitment or responsibility by being deliberately ambiguous or evasive. The term often implies a form of dishonesty or manipulation, where the person might twist words or engage in deceptive tactics to escape accountability. This behavior can be seen in both personal and professional contexts, leading to mistrust and frustration among those who seek clear communication. It's commonly associated with politicians, salespeople, or anyone who feels they might benefit from dodging a direct answer to a question.
Synonyms
dodging, evading, finessing, prevaricating.
Examples of usage
- He was weaselling out of his promises.
- The politician kept weaselling on the key issues.
- She was weaselling during the negotiation, making it hard to reach an agreement.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- The term 'weaseling' comes from the word 'weasel', which refers to the animal known for its ability to escape from traps.
- In the 16th century, the word began to take on a figurative meaning related to being evasive or deceitful in speech.
- Weaseling reflects the behavior of the animal, which can slip through small spaces, symbolically representing avoiding straightforwardness.
Psychology
- Evasive communication can arise from anxiety or fear of consequences, as individuals may prefer to obscure the truth.
- People who weasel often use vague language or ambiguity to protect themselves from accountability.
- Cognitive dissonance can lead to weaseling, where individuals feel conflicted between truth and personal circumstances.
Pop Culture
- Characters in television shows and movies, like cunning lawyers or con artists, often display weaseling behavior to create tension in narratives.
- Songs and literature frequently explore themes of deceit and trickery, with characters using weaseling as a tool for manipulation.
- Political discourse often highlights weaseling when politicians avoid taking a clear stance on controversial issues.
Literature
- In classic literature, characters such as Iago from Shakespeare’s Othello exhibit weaseling traits through their manipulative dialogue.
- Modern novels frequently feature antiheroes who navigate morally grey areas, often employing weaseling to achieve their goals.
- The use of unreliable narrators in literature can also reflect weaseling, as their omissions and distortions create intrigue and suspense.
Communication
- Weaseling can undermine trust in relationships and is often perceived negatively in both personal and professional communication.
- Effective leaders usually strive for transparency, contrasting weaseling, to foster trust and accountability within teams.
- Negotiation tactics sometimes involve weaseling, where parties seek to avoid commitment or retain flexibility in discussions.
Translations
Translations of the word "weaselling" in other languages:
🇵🇹 evasão
🇮🇳 चालाकी
🇩🇪 Umgehung
🇮🇩 penghindaran
🇺🇦 увертання
🇵🇱 wybieg
🇯🇵 言い逃れ
🇫🇷 évitement
🇪🇸 evasión
🇹🇷 kaçamak
🇰🇷 회피
🇸🇦 تملص
🇨🇿 vyhýbání
🇸🇰 vyhýbanie
🇨🇳 规避
🇸🇮 izogibanje
🇮🇸 vörn
🇰🇿 бұзу
🇬🇪 გამოძვრობა
🇦🇿 qaçma
🇲🇽 evasión
Word Frequency Rank
With rank #43,667, this word is among the least frequently used in common English. Understanding it can be beneficial for comprehensive language mastery, but it's not essential for most learners.