Jargon Begone! List
The following jargon have been provided by the community. If you would like to contribute our jargon list please click on the Add to Jargon Begone! button.
| Entry Date | What jargon term annoys you the most? | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| October 24, 2022 at 1:11 pm | Acopic (A-Cope-Ick) |
Meaning "Not coping, not tolerating well". Very frustrating because it makes a negative assumption about the patient that they are only presenting due to difficulty coping and not because they are actually unwell or needing assistance. It labels the patient before they can be thoroughly assessed and its stigmatising them to be the "anxious type" or "hyperchondriac". |
| October 21, 2022 at 4:07 pm | Do some heavy lifting |
Pompous and self-indulgent |
| October 20, 2022 at 3:35 pm | "Lean in" |
Don't we address / discuss / come together to find solutions - I'm over leaning in!! |
| October 20, 2022 at 2:06 pm | Where the rubber meets the road |
Consultant speak. Blah |
| October 20, 2022 at 2:03 pm | Take it offline |
It reeks of a person on a power trip |
| October 19, 2022 at 10:23 am | "If you need more information Reach Out" - whaaaat!!!! |
What happened to, "if you need more information, please contact me/us" or "if you need further assistance, please contact me/us". What's with this "reach out" nonsense! |
| October 19, 2022 at 9:11 am | It's not specifically a jargon term that annoys me, it's the increased use of acronyms. |
What the heck do some of these acronyms mean!!!!! STOP using acronyms that often only relate to your field/area of work, just speak plain English so we know what you mean and we can stop pretending we know what you mean. |
| October 14, 2022 at 5:18 pm | To talk up something (e.g. in sales) |
You cannot translate that without at least using 5 more other words in Languages Other Than English. |
| October 11, 2022 at 8:31 am | Elderly primigravida |
Just say 'older first-time mum' please! Not only will your patients know what you are talking about, they also won't have to deal with the shock of being called 'elderly' in their late-30s. |
| October 10, 2022 at 3:00 pm | evidence-based practice |
because it means nothing to clients who just want a service |
| October 6, 2022 at 9:59 am | Capacity Building |
Because capacity means take more on, not learn more skills. |
| September 27, 2022 at 9:32 pm | Town hall meeting |
Yep! It's the latest management jargon in the community sector imported from the USA. Initially we all thought the meeting was being held in a town hall - which was super confusing as... what's the occasion, it's not book launch or concert. You get the gist! Turns out it's just a jargonistic term from management for a ...... staff meeting. Yep boring old staff meeting. Hilarious. |
| September 20, 2022 at 4:15 pm | intersectional |
Unless people are going to actually unpack what this term means on a day to day basis and use language that is more accessible, this term alienates. It is often used by people who want to come across as progressive and really 'with it' but don't really understand what it means and how it's part of the social justice movement. |
| August 2, 2022 at 11:15 pm | acronyms |
Because many of them are not even familiar to nurses. They are coined by individuals and are not necessarily of common use. We need to remember about 6 out of 10 people in Australia have low or poor health literacy. |
| March 17, 2022 at 2:06 pm | Dyspnoea |
People struggle to pronounce this term, let alone know what it means. Why not say 'distress with breathing' or 'uncomfortable breathing' or 'breathing discomfort' |
| October 27, 2021 at 9:07 am | Someone used C suite recently in an add recruiting a health job |
What is that Caesaraian section suite at a hospital, some new hospital department? NO....apparently it relates to executive positions, senior management....ie. CEO/ CFO/ CIO/COO.....more jargon ! Don't like it as it has an elitist feels about it Senior management team/ executive team I understand |
| October 25, 2021 at 11:52 pm | Flesh it out |
I imagine skin being rolled out like dough |
| October 21, 2021 at 9:25 pm | It is What It Is |
It is often said to avoid discussion or really expressing how you really feel |
| October 20, 2021 at 3:57 pm | binary |
not in regular use |
| October 20, 2021 at 9:29 am | cognitive |
It's just a difficult word to understand. |
| Entry Date | What jargon term annoys you the most? | Why? |
Why should I pledge?
6 out of 10 of people in Australia have low health literacy.
Many Australians have trouble understanding and using information provided by organisations. They also have trouble navigating complicated systems like healthcare services.
When we use jargon, technical terms or acronyms, it is hard for people with low health literacy to understand and use information.
Pledge and take part in activities at your workplace. Make it easy for people with low health literacy to get better information and outcomes from services they use.
Pledge to Drop the Jargon
- Use plain language in all communication – with other staff and with clients
- Not use acronyms
- Explain medical and other technical terminology
- Check that information has been understood by your clients
- Work with a professional interpreter when your clients have low English proficiency
- Politely point out when your colleagues use jargon