plausible deniability

[Jonathan Lighter]

For at least one poltical activist the meaning has changed from "an excuse
or similar stratagem by which plausibly to deny actual guilty knowledge;
alibi" to "the legitimate ability to declare one's real ignorance or
innocence."  Or has it?

According to a Republican mouthpiece on CNN:

"They gave the President plausible deniability by keeping him out of the
loop."

Of course, the "new" meaning becomes clear only by paying attention.  "They
gave the President plausible deniability" is all most people will hear. So
he's guilty as sin.


JL
--
"If the truth is half as bad as I think it is, you can't handle the truth."

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