Collins Improve Your Writing Skills. Graham King

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      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 СКАЧАТЬ