propaganda technique

Intentional vagueness

Also called: Obfuscation, Weasel words

Intentional vagueness uses deliberately unclear language so that the audience reads in what it wants and the speaker cannot be pinned down.

How it works

Vague claims cannot be checked, and they let different audiences hear different promises. Phrases such as "many experts", "up to" or "helps support" sound informative but commit to nothing.

Examples

"Studies suggest this may help support your immune system."

Which studies, how much, and what does "support" mean?

"We will take appropriate measures at the right time."

No measure and no time is actually promised.

How to spot it

Unnamed sources: "experts say", "critics claim".
Hedges such as may, up to, could help.
A promise that cannot be checked later.

How to respond

Ask who, what, how much and by when.
Ask for a statement that could be shown to be wrong.
Judge vague claims as unproven.