# “You may be eligible for significant compensation” **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 28, 2023, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-may-be-eligible-for-significant-compensation/984713 "2023-05-28T22:00:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2023, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-may-be-eligible-for-significant-compensation/984713/1 "2023-05-28T22:00:57Z")
This phrase seems to appear in a lot of legal ads. I would guess because the word “significant” is weaselly enough to match whatever meaning one wishes to apply^. Where did this phrasing first appear? Why did it become omnipresent? ^A fact pointed out by Bernard in _Yes, Prime Minister_ IIRC. ---
**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2023, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-may-be-eligible-for-significant-compensation/984713/2 "2023-05-29T13:49:52Z")
The fine print at the bottom of the legal ads should say, “But the attorneys will get the lion’s share of any settlement.” ~VOW ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2023, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-may-be-eligible-for-significant-compensation/984713/3 "2023-05-29T15:42:23Z")
Sounds like it could have been a line from Perry Mason, even the books, going back nearly 100 years now. Very lawyerly in tone. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2023, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-may-be-eligible-for-significant-compensation/984713/4 "2023-05-29T15:45:56Z")
> [@VOW](#): > > The fine print at the bottom of the legal ads should say, “But the attorneys will get the lion’s share of any settlement.” - > > ~VOW **“You may be eligible for significant compensation”** “But in reality, you’ll get essentially nothing while I’m rolling in it. Or a discount /coupon with the very entity who wronged you.”