When Scientists Write:

They Really Mean:

It has long been known that...

I haven't bothered to look up the original reference.

While it has not been possible to provide definite answers to these questions...

The experiments didn't work out, but I figured I could at least get a publication out of it.

High purity...

Very high purity...

Extremely high purity...

Composition unknown except for the exaggerated claims of the supplier.

Three of the samples were chosen for detailed study...

The results on the others didn't make sense and were ignored.

...accidentally strained during mounting

...dropped on the floor.

...handled with extreme care throughout the experiments.

...not dropped on the floor

Typical results are shown...

The best results are shown.

Although some detail has been lost in reproduction, it is clear from the original micrograph that...

It is impossible to tell from the micrograph.

Presumably at longer times...

I didn't take time to find out.

It is suggested that...

It is believed that...

It may be that...

I think.

It is generally believed that...

A couple of other guys think so too.

It might be argued that...

I have such a good answer to this this objection that I shall now raise it myself.

It is clear that much additional work will be required before a complete understanding...

I don't understand it

Unfortunately, a quantitative theory to account for these effects had not been formulated...

Neither does anyone else.

Correct within an order of magnitude...

Wrong.

It is to be hoped that this work will stimulate further work in the field...

This paper isn't very good, but neither are any of the others in this miserable subject