weasel words
I thought they were so called because these words formed the clauses used to weasel out of the contract
Yeah, you're right, Rodward. I was just trying to stretch the meaning to work it into wwh's metaphor about sucking all the blood out of his "uber frugal" example. In a way, "weasel words" do suck the blood out of a contract because they drain away the intent of both parties, as a result of which they both end up with less. I could have used this example instead of the 'cereal box disclaimer' example ... but I didn't think of it. Thanks for correcting me.