Even early on, the Air Force figured out that any wiggle room left in a specification would be exploited against their best interest and needed to be avoid wherever possible if they were going to be successful in their mission of protecting America. The following is a copy of one of their attempts at controlling the trend.

United States Air Force Guidelines circa 1950's

PHRASES PERMITTING VARYING DEGREES OF APPLICATION
TO BE AVOIDED IN PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS

1. To the satisfaction of the Contracting Officer
2. As determined by the Contracting Officer
3. In accordance with instructions of the Contracting Officer
4. As directed by the. Contracting Officer
5. In the opinion of the Contracting Officer
6. In the judgment of the Contracting Officer
7. Unless otherwise directed by the Contracting Officer
8. To furnish if requested by the Contracting Officer
9. All reasonable requests of the Contracting Officer shall be complied with
10. Photographs shall be taken when and where directed by the Contracting Officer
11. In strict accordance with
12. In accordance with best commercial practice
13. In accordance with best modern standard practice
14. In accordance with the best engineering practice
15. Workmanship shall be of the highest quality
16. Workmanship shall be of the highest grade
17. Accurate workmanship
18. Securely mounted
19. Installed in a neat and workmanlike manner
20. Skillfully fitted
21. Properly connected
22. Properly assembled
23. Good working order
24. Good materials
25. In accordance with applicable published specifications
26. Products of a recognized reputable manufacturer
27. Tests will be made unless waived
28. Materials shall be of the highest grade, free from defects or imperfections, and of grades approved by the Contracting Officer
29. Kinks and bends may be cause for rejection
30. Carefully performed
31. Neatly finished
32. Metal parts shall be cleaned before painting
33. Suitably housed
34. Smooth surfaces
35. Pleasing lines
36. Of an approved type
37. Of standard type
38. When required by the Contracting Officer
39. As the Contracting Officer may require
40. Of an approved nonmetallic material
41. Lightning arresters of proper characteristics for the system to which they are connected
42. In a condition satisfactory to the Contracting Officer
43. Where the Contracting Officer so decides
44. In the judgment of the Contracting Officer
45. To a depth satisfactory to the Contracting Officer
46. By the use of approved methods
47. Of sound manufacture
48. At the discretion of the Contracting Officer
49. The product of a recognized manufacturer
50. In an acceptable manner
51. Erected in a rigid and substantial manner
52. In an approved manner
53. Of the most recent proved type
54. Suitably sized samples
55. Except as otherwise directed in writing by our Contracting Officer
56. The Contracting Officer may require
57. If the Contracting Officer so requires
58. In a substantial steel housing
59. A high-quality, baked enamel finish
60. Of suitable type and size
61. Properly housed
62. Unit heaters considered by the Contracting Officer to be objectionably noisy shall be replaced
63. In a manner acceptable to the Contracting Officer
64. Relatively air-tight joint
65. To the entire satisfaction of the Contracting Officer
66. In a first-class workmanlike manner
67. Securely supported
68. Properly fastened
69. Shall be installed where shown on the drawings and wherever directed by the Contracting Officer
70. Of sturdy construction
71. Products of reputable manufacturers
72. Effectively cleaned
73. Carefully placed
74. Of an elliptical or an oral design acceptable to the Contracting Officer
75. In accordance with the recommendations of the manufacturer as approved by the Contracting Officer