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.
What jargon term annoys you the most? | Why? |
---|---|
neoplasm |
they wont understand, I too don't understand sometimes |
Gaming |
"Gaming" refers to playing games, either online or in real life. It is not "gambling" and should not be used as a weasel word to make gambling seem nicer or less threatening. Especially by governments. "Minister for Gaming"? Really? How about "Minister For Exploitation"? |
BOM |
During the height of last horrific Bush-fire season, a Senior Emergency person came forward and announced that he had just checked the "BOM" site. Anybody hearing that referral to the Weather Report could have assumed he was talking about a bomb attack adding to the already horrible unfolding disaster. I have a long list - DOCS, FACS, HSIE, COAG, DFAT, ACT, ADF, PDHPE, medical positive/negative results. Then there's the bonkers term "NEAR-MISS" . Need I explain? Well - I suffered a genuine "near-miss" recently when a driver "rear-ended" or crashed into my car and managed to "write-it-off". THAT WAS A NEAR-MISS, as far as I'm concerned. I'm still chasing him - the bastard drove off! |
On boarding |
This is what you do to introduce new people to your organisation apparently. |
Convo |
A conversation is a discussion between rational people |
Peeps |
We are people not peeps |
unprecedented |
Heard so often |
RDP |
IT specific abbreviation that users may not know or understand. RDP stands for Remote Desktop Protocol and is a Microsoft software to access workplaces remotely. |
online |
During the era of Windows 95, doing things "online" was a new thing. Now in the 21st century, most people understand many activities can be done using the internet. An online webinar, or an online form are just the worst examples! |
PBS |
I've worked at a pharmacy to 2 years and I still don't know what it means let alone be able to explain it to customers. |
Consumers |
Consumers are people. They don't eat services or clinicians! What is wrong with calling them people and preferably by their actual name??? |
Carers |
We are people first. We are mothers, sisters, brothers, fathers, and friends. Caring is a bi-product of our relationship with the person. |
Touching base |
not direct, vague, should be discuss, meet, talk, telephone call etc. |
People with a disability speaking for themselves |
People with a disability or mental illness should be able to speak for themselves. Medical staff, community services, local governments, families and cares should become aware of when it is good to advocate and when it is great to let people use their voices. |
Brain Storming |
Brain Storming is a commonly used term use in Australia for meetings. On the 20th of June 2008 City Councils in UK banned the use of this word as "Brain Storming" is a term associated and a symptom of a specific neurological disease. |
A bit on the Spectrum |
saying that a child or adult is a bit on the spectrum? People are either autistic or they are not. |
When jargon keeps changing |
I can't keep up with changes and even if I wanted to tell my clients I don't know what it is. Or what acronyms are? |
compliant |
It's disempowering for the person you are working with, it removes choice, and is autocratic. Primary and community health workers are not enforcers and have no reason to use this term. |
Stakeholders |
Because people holding stakes usually also hold a hammer. When talking about health or public services we hold people in our hands not stakes |
Using the word - Agency |
It is not used in everyday conversations about making choices and decisions as it was used in a talk about managing self care. Agency for most people is a word that describes a building, business or organization. Lets drop using this word! |
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