> A weasel word, or anonymous authority, is a word and phrase aimed at creating an impression that something specific and meaningful has been said when in fact only a vague, ambiguous, or irrelevant claim has been communicated. The terms may be considered informal. Examples include the phrases "some people say", "it is thought", and "researchers believe". Using weasel words may allow one to later deny any specific meaning if the statement is challenged, because the statement was never specific in the first place. Weasel words can be a form of tergiversation and may be used in advertising, (popular) science, opinion pieces and political statements to mislead or disguise a biased view or unsubstantiated claim.
There's a spectrum isn't there, between weasel words that are avoidant
and non-attribution which is done out of respect or kindness. News is
full of passive prose; "A source claimed yesterday", because anonymous
sources need protection. A barrister might say in court; "It has been
said that...", not to invite libel or misidentify a witness. Or a
teacher might say "It's been brought to our attention that some
children..." not to embarrass a kid in front of everyone.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weasel_word
Edit:
Verb tergiversate (third-person singular simple present tergiversates, present participle tergiversating, simple past and past participle tergiversated)
(intransitive) To evade, to equivocate using subterfuge; to obfuscate in a deliberate manner.
(intransitive) To change sides or affiliation; to apostatize.
(intransitive, rare) To flee by turning one's back.
https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/tergiversate