WEASELING Meaning and
Definition
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Weaseling is a term that is commonly used in informal language to describe a specific behavior characterized by the act of evading responsibility or avoiding making clear or definitive statements. It refers to the act of employing cunning or deceitful tactics to wriggle out of a situation, typically to avoid blame, answering questions directly, or committing to a specific course of action. Weaseling often involves a person attempting to manipulate a conversation or an argument by using vague or ambiguous language, making excuses, or making misleading statements to escape accountability.
This term originates from the behavior of weasels, small animals known for their cleverness and ability to evade predators by slithering through narrow crevices. In a similar manner, someone who engages in weaseling tries to navigate their way out of tricky situations without being trapped or caught in a straightforward response. Weaseling is commonly seen in contexts such as politics, legal proceedings, public relations, and personal relationships, where individuals may resort to this behavior to maintain their image or avoid negative consequences.
The practice of weaseling is generally regarded as dishonest or insincere, as it involves intentionally misleading or withholding important information. Those skilled in weaseling often employ crafty rhetorical techniques or skillful wordplay to manipulate others or divert attention from the truth. However, weaseling is also colloquially perceived as an annoying or frustrating behavior, as it prevents direct communication or resolution of issues.
Top Common Misspellings for WEASELING *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for WEASELING
Etymology of WEASELING
The word "weaseling" is derived from the noun "weasel", which refers to a small carnivorous mammal in the Mustelidae family. The etymology of "weasel" can be traced back to the Old English word "wesle", which was borrowed from the Proto-Germanic "wisulōn". The exact origin of the Proto-Germanic term is unclear, but it might be related to the Old Norse word "vislingr" or the Old High German word "wisula". The verb "weaseling" is formed by adding the suffix "-ing" to "weasel", indicating the action or process of behaving in a manner associated with a weasel. The term "weaseling" is often used metaphorically to describe someone attempting to deceive or manipulate others in a cunning or evasive way, emulating the behaviors typically attributed to weasels.
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