Weasel words are vague or sweeping phrases like "widely regarded," "it is believed," or "many people are saying" that imply consensus or authority without naming a source. These statements can mislead readers by suggesting there is support for a claim when no specific evidence is provided.
On Wikipedia, weasel words are discouraged because they obscure where information is coming from and make it harder to verify. Instead, claims must be attributed to named sources that can be independently checked. For example, rather than saying "many experts agree", an article should cite a published source and actually name more than one expert or organization making the statement.
Using precise language and citing reliable, third-party sources helps ensure Wikipedia articles remain neutral, transparent, and trustworthy.
