# Help: Where is article about how words like "unacceptable" are used to avoid blame?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-where-is-article-about-how-words-like-unacceptable-are-used-to-avoid-blame/307310>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 7, 2005, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-where-is-article-about-how-words-like-unacceptable-are-used-to-avoid-blame/307310 "2005-06-07T16:40:25Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Cagey\_Drifter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@Cagey\_Drifter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cagey_Drifter)\
**Post date:** [June 7, 2005, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-where-is-article-about-how-words-like-unacceptable-are-used-to-avoid-blame/307310/1 "2005-06-07T16:40:25Z")

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I know I read an article somewhat recently about how people in tight situations (read: politicians) use phrases like “mistakes were made” and “the results were unacceptable” as a way to acknowledge fault but avoid taking personal responsibility for things that got screwed up. I could have sworn I read it on Slate, but I couldn’t find the article there. Anyone know where it is? It was a fascinating read.

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**Author:** ![Mops](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mops/32/16494_2.png) [@Mops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mops)\
**Post date:** [June 7, 2005, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-where-is-article-about-how-words-like-unacceptable-are-used-to-avoid-blame/307310/2 "2005-06-07T16:48:26Z")

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I cannot find the article you refer to, but if you google for **“passive voice” politicians** you can find a lot of references to this - it’s hardly an original observation.