Sloping off in semi-parallel direction (something that {cough cough-e} never happens here!):

The word indicated is sometimes used by reporters who just get weary of writing "he said" and is caught by alert Editors.
For instance a reporter might write "The candidate indicated that he was opposed to green fire engines."
The Editor would ask "How did he indicate it ? By splashing red paint on a green engine? He either said it or he didn't. Use said."
The editorial arguement is that the "He said" or "she said" allows the reader to identify the speaker but - in a way - disappears from the reader's consciousness and so does not interfere with the prose flow.
How do youze all feel about this nit? Hi Faldage