This paper concerns the relationship of BL Lacs and flat-spectrum weak emis
sion-line galaxies. We compare the weak emission-line galaxies and the BL L
acs in a sample of 57 flat-spectrum objects (Marcha et al. 1996), using hig
h-frequency radio and non-thermal optical flux densities, spectral indices
and polarization properties. We consider whether objects which are not 'tra
ditional' BL Lacs - due to their larger emission line strengths, and larger
Ca II spectral breaks - are simply starlight diluted BL Lacs. Their broad-
band spectral properties are consistent with this interpretation, but their
radio polarization may indicate more subtle effects.. Comparison of the we
ak emission-line galaxies and the BL Lacs shows that, on average, the forme
r have steeper spectra between 8 and 43 GHz, and are less polarized at 8.4
GHz. This is consistent with many of the weak-lined objects being at larger
angles to the line of sight than the BL Lacs. In addition to this populati
on, we indicate a number of the weak emission-line galaxies which may be 'h
idden BL Lacs': relativistically boosted objects very close to the line of
sight with an apparently weak AGN.