Re: [microsound] (ot) the words "may" and "might"

[ndk <ndkent@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> has anyone noticed the influx of the words "may" and
> "might" in tv commercials lately? ie "...may reduce
> your cholesterol" or "...might reduce heart disease". 
> On one hand I find this hilarious that this is
> happening (see later), but on the other I hope people
> don't get sucked in by this new form of marketing
> thinking "may" or "might"= "does".  On another hand
> (the third hand :)), I'm surprised that it has taken
> companies this long to try this new angle.  The
> opportunities are hilarious for others to run with
> this; examples that came to mind: "(insert your fave
> musician/food/activity/whatever here) may reduce your
> cholestrol and might reduce heart disease".  picture
> this court scene: judge "why did you do that?" accused:
> "well, your honor, I had read that doing so might lower
> my cholesterol and might lessen my chances of heart
> disease."  Heck, maybe in the promo for a future
> release, I should include a sticker on the outside of
> the package that says "purchasing this album might
> reduce your cholesterol and may reduce heart disease"! 
> Just a random thought. Andrew Duke

Simply put that kind of language thwarts litigation. In a litigation
obsessed society legal counsel routinely examines the syntax for any
kind of potential liability in any claims made. On the other hand by
your saying that you may still be made to produce evidence of that
possibility. So if your "may" claim has zero grounding it might very
well be spun into litigation as well. On the other hand if you can
produce some "independent" research albeit inconclusive the use of may
or might is just fine.

Actually what gets my goat is insurance companies and legal cousel
inserting at your own risk vague clauses instead of addressing saftey
issue physically. Like the local commuter rail system has old escalators
that really do occasionally kill people. So I remember one week after
someone got chewed up when one openned up they handed out multipage
bilingual brochures with instructions on how to ride escalators and then
installed a looped pleading audio messages coming out of speakers on
their newer high profile escalators "Stop! Look Around!  Be sure to step
off the escalator when you reach the top (not synchronized with the top)
Escalators are for passengers only!"  I was thinking who else might the
escalators not be for? Imaginary talking animals? And then I see Mr.
Rogers taping his show at the top, I kid you not.

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