The Jargonaut’s Lexicon
Here’s a list of jargon words and phrases that comply with the former US president Harry S Truman decree: ‘If you can’t convince ‘em, confuse ‘em’. The entries are graded with [J] symbols; the more elusive and impenetrable the jargon, the more [JJJs] it earns. Learn to recognise jargon, and avoid it if you can.
accentuate [j] stress
accessible [j] As in We intend making Shakespeare accessible to the millions. Use understandable, attractive
accommodation [j] Use home, where you live
accomplish [j] As in accomplish the task. Use complete, finish, do
accordingly [j] Use so
accountability [j] Use responsibility
acquiesce [j] Use agree
acquire [j] Use get, buy, win
activist [j] As in Liberal Party activist. Use worker, campaigner
address [j] As in we must address the problem. Use face, tackle, deal with
adequate [j] Use enough
axiomatic [j] Use obvious
belated [j] Use late
blueprint [jj] As in the proposal is a blueprint for disaster. Use this will end in, means/could mean disaster
chair/chairperson [jj] Use chairman, chairwoman
challenged [jjj] As in physically challenged. One of a growing range of euphemisms for personal problems and disabilities. Even in these politically-correct times it is more acceptable to be frank but sensitive. Also avoid differently abled.
come on stream [jj] As in the new model will come on stream in April. Oil producer’s jargon usually misapplied. Use begin production, start working, get under way.
come to terms with [j] Use accept, understand
concept [j] Use idea, plan, proposal, notion
core [jjj] As in core curriculum, core concepts. Use basic
creative accounting [jj] Not necessarily illegal but a vague and troubling term best avoided or left to the financial professionals.
cutback [j] A needless expansion of cut
de-manning [jjj] Use cutting jobs
de-stocking [jj] Use running down stocks, shrinking
downsizing [jjj] Usually meant to mean cutting jobs, or reacting to a bad financial year by cutting back production or services.
downplay [jj] As in he tried to downplay the gravity of the case. Use play down, minimise.
end of the day [j] As in at the end of the day, what have we got? Use in the end
final analysis [j] As in in the final analysis it makes little difference. Use in the end
front-runner [j] Use leading contender, leading or favoured candidate
funded [j] Use paid for
geared [jj] As in the service was geared to the stockbroker belt. Use aimed at, intended for, connected to, suited to
generate [j] Use make, produce
hands-on [jj] As in he adopted a hands-on policy with the staff. It makes you wonder what he was paid to do – massage them? Has been replaced by another jargon word, anyway – proactive.
heading up [jj] As in Smith will be heading up the takeover team. Use heading or leading
hidden agenda [jjj] Top-rank jargon. Use hidden/disguised purpose
identify with [jj] As in He was identified with the activists. Use associated with, linked with.
implement [jj] Use carry out, fulfil.
inaugurate [jj] As in She will inaugurate the new policy. Use introduce, start.
in-flight/in-house [j] Part of the language now but still jargon. When carried further, as in in-car entertainment, it can sound faintly ridiculous.
input [jjjj] As in ‘A core post is available for a Senior Research Associate to take a leading role in the programme. The first projects involve relating nursing inputs to patient outcomes in acute hospitals’ (University of Newcastle upon Tyne ad). A verbal germ picked up from the computer world where it is used as a verb meaning enter or insert, as in he inputted the entire file. Outside computing the word can mean contribute or, as a noun, contribution, or . . . nothing at all. Avoid.
interface [jjjj] Another refugee from computing. As a noun, it means contact. As a hideous verb, interface with can mean work with, negotiate with, cooperate with or simply meet. Any of these is preferable.
jury is still out [jj] As in Whether the move has saved the pound, the jury is still out. Use is not yet known/decided/certain/clear meet with, meet up with [jj] Use meet
methodology [j] Often used in error for method. It really means a system of methods and principles
name of the game [jj] As in the name of the game is to make money. Use object
new high, new low [j] Use new/record high level; new/record low level
non-stopping [jjj] As in the eastbound service will be non-stopping at the following stations . . . Use will not stop
operational [j] As in the service is now operational. Use now running/now working
outgoing [j] Use friendly
overview [j] Use broad view
on the back of [jj] As in the shares rose sharply on the back of the board’s profit forecast. Use after/because of/as the result
