Like its fellow weasel-words—some, few, often, seems, likely, more—many serves writers who haven't found the data to support their argument. A light splash of weasel-words in a news story is acceptable if only because journalism is not an exact science and deadlines must be observed.Jack Shafer demolishes a slimy journalism tactic on the pages of Slate, particularly with regard to a recent
New York Times article,
"Many Women at Elite Colleges Set Career Path to Motherhood," where
many means, apparently,
several. (Thanks, Steve!)
# posted by
Gerry Canavan @ 7:38 PM
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