The Jargon Begone! list
The jargon below has been provided by the community. You can add to the jargon list too, just click on the Jargon Begone! button below.
| Entry Date | What jargon term annoys you the most? | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| December 20, 2022 at 1:31 am | IX |
For instance, if your blinds have severe discolouration that does not go away |
| November 6, 2022 at 6:08 pm | Dyspnea |
I can't even work out how to say it |
| November 1, 2022 at 1:29 pm | Game Changer |
Over used. |
| October 27, 2022 at 3:45 pm | Stand Up Meeting |
Some of us can't stand up |
| October 26, 2022 at 2:44 pm | "Effectuate". As in: "We need to effectuate a change". |
Used by jargonists who seem to feel that simple, precise terminology is too revealing of their own simplicity. |
| October 26, 2022 at 2:40 pm | "Normalcy" |
Whatever happened to good old "normality" ? |
| October 26, 2022 at 2:38 pm | "Unarrive". As in: "Pt has unarrived clinic." |
Believe it or not, this piece of astonishingly inept Americlish has begun to enter usage in GP clinic admin software, no doubt spurred on by the equally American notion of "Unfriending" people on Facebook. Please don't allow it to take hold here! |
| October 25, 2022 at 1:15 pm | integumentary |
such a freaking long word, a tongue twister meaning skin |
| 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. |
| 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.
Drop the Jargon
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