What's a pc way to say "butt-covering"?

Question

As in, "most of the document is concerned with legal butt-covering by both parties"? I have a paper due in two hours and need a politically correct way to rephrase this. :p (no vulgar answers, please.)

Thanks :) Many good answers, I think I'll have to leave this one up to the voters.

I especially liked the 1st, 4th, and 6th answers. :)

Answer 1

All very well to leave vote for best answer up for grabs ......... but, which , if any of the above, did you use?

Answer 2

I often use "covering all the bases." It essentially means the same thing, and some people really like sports references.

It also makes you sound more thorough, as if you are simply going through and looking for errors, rather than just ways to cover your butt.

For that sentence, I would say, "Most of the document is concerned with safeguarding both parties."

Hmm, come to think of it, I like safeguard better.

Contingency is a good word too. Not wholly appropriate for what you have, but it may be useful later on in the document.

Answer 3

EULAs (end-user licence agreement). They come with most software and usually pop up when you install. They spell out all the terms and conditions attached to using this software, often couched in obscure legalese. They also are where they hide the "butt-covering" in the event something does not work.

However, now that I have typed that nice definition I have read your question again and see you are looking for something more like this:

"The majority of the document was obscure legalese designed to limit the liability of both parties."

Did that help?

Answer 4

You could say "Most of the document is concerned with ensuring that both parties are protected against any eventuality", and add an editorialized thought to the end if appropriate, like "Most of the document is concerned with ensuring that both parties are protected against any eventuality, taking away from the actual intent and rendering it almost useless." or something like that.

Answer 5

Covering your flank is the most understood term. In the military it means to cover the backside of the battle.

Answer 6

i do not comprehend yet i appreciate making a music that area out loud hahahahaa EDIT: yeah, kicking someone a** does make experience. yet that popping out of Michael's mouth? lol what a replace, yet i loved it. undesirable is my fashionable album too.

Answer 7

tying up loose ends, closing all loopholes, correcting any previously made errors, easing scrutiny,
I use a lot of these in training classes

Answer 8

how about:
legal protections covering both parties
or
legal safeguards covering both parties
?

Answer 9

You're thinking of CYA. (cover your a--). Computer people say it and do it ALL the time.)
-MM

Answer 10

CYA protocol