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? |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| October 20, 2021 at 9:26 am | asymptomatic |
As a health professional I understand that this means "without symptoms", but for my partner who doesn't have a health background and for whom English is not his first language, it meant that you have "a symptom". Imagine how different the Covid-19 health information sounded once he learnt that? I often wonder how many other people still don't understand this term, and who have been following an entirely differently set of Covid safety rules as a result (ie, "stay home if you have symptoms, but you can leave the house if you have a (one) symptom".) |
| October 18, 2021 at 12:53 pm | Anything that is reduced to an acronym |
Acronyms are usually only understood by ‘inner circles’ so their use should be limited appropriately. |
| October 14, 2021 at 4:56 pm | Cohort |
We should clearly identify who we are talking about, rather than referring to a non-descriptive 'cohort'. |
| October 14, 2021 at 4:53 pm | CALD |
Aren't we all Culturally and Linguistically Diverse People? And who isn't the 'CALD' when we are delivering services and what to we call them? What/who is the Mainstream? It (may) creates an Us and Them binary polarity or opposition. |
| April 8, 2021 at 9:20 pm | sciatica |
Because it means different things to everyone! |
| October 27, 2020 at 3:56 pm | frequent presenter (say to the EmergcenY Department-ED). |
Not good use of words, it's more of a label for a patient. Better to write, 'client has represented to ED with...………….'. |
| October 27, 2020 at 3:54 pm | non compliant |
Because what should be written is 'client has difficulties with......' Staff need to write what they mean. |
| October 27, 2020 at 3:52 pm | non compliant |
Because what should be written is 'client has difficulties with......' Staff need to write what they mean. |
| October 26, 2020 at 1:23 pm | People using US slang and spelling |
We're in Australia. We were influenced by the UK. |
| October 21, 2020 at 10:46 am | Moving forward |
Over used term that i am not sure that everyone understands the meaning. Some might think moving to where?. In work discussion or meetings, it means to move to next topic or item of discussion now without delay. |
| October 20, 2020 at 10:08 pm | CALD |
Not using the CALD acronym shows respect to culturally diverse individuals and communities and gives people and communities agency and appreciates their diversity and positive contributions to society. |
| October 20, 2020 at 4:32 pm | furlough |
Unknown word- new term |
| 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