Passing the smell test

For those of you unfamiliar with the term, the 'smell test' is a test of credibility/believe-ability that you need to apply to your key messages before you unveil them through the media. It's also been referred to as the BS test. When a message causes the listener to raise an eyebrow in a look of skepticism, there's a good chance it doesn't pass this test. Example:

"They are not prisoners. The only thing they are missing is the freedom to leave the ship." -- Somali pirate aboard the oil tanker Sirius Star, on its crew's condition