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? |
|---|---|---|
| October 20, 2020 at 4:24 pm | 24/7 |
Too American |
| October 19, 2020 at 9:02 pm | TLA |
Three Letter Acronym (it's an acronym for all the acronyms!) |
| October 19, 2020 at 8:58 pm | Environmental scan |
This is used when an organisation researches what's happening in relation to something they are planning something. It sounds like some kind of robot with a laser scanning for something it wants to kill... |
| October 15, 2020 at 1:47 pm | SIT; SCIRT; SACS; CTS; NITH; NOAH; RUSON; SIMON; AIDET; HIS; CDM; |
Some I don't understand or know about and others need to be called what they are. |
| October 15, 2020 at 12:20 pm | sub-optimal |
Its a weasel word, a mealy-mouthed euphemism for "we stuffed up" |
| October 14, 2020 at 4:59 pm | COB |
Makes me think of a cob loaf not close of business! Why can't we just say the end of the day or end of the work day |
| October 13, 2020 at 3:08 pm | Leaning in |
It is supposed to mean that we are working together and supporting one another - why not just say lets work together and be supportive!!! |
| October 13, 2020 at 1:04 pm | chronic |
Because the general community do not understand it, I have heard it used as a substitute as bad eg I have asthma, it's chronic, they don't mean its an ongoing, always there condition, they mean its really bad. And then we here about health professionals, govt talking about chronic conditions - what do they general public think this means - really bad conditions. Oh mine is not that bad... |
| October 7, 2020 at 2:32 pm | consumer |
it dehumanises people |
| October 7, 2020 at 1:35 pm | non-binary |
Not something in mainstream use yet |
| September 21, 2020 at 10:22 am | AOD |
Not even GPs understand the acronym for Alcohol and other drugs. I have seen websites for community health where "AOD programs" is used rather than "Help with drugs and alcohol" |
| September 15, 2020 at 1:29 pm | onboarding |
I know it's a common HR term but it sounds too much like waterboarding - a torture technique - for my liking. Can't we use orientation instead? |
| August 20, 2020 at 4:23 pm | neoplasm |
they wont understand, I too don't understand sometimes |
| August 13, 2020 at 4:53 pm | 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"? |
| August 13, 2020 at 10:23 am | 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! |
| July 23, 2020 at 9:33 pm | On boarding |
This is what you do to introduce new people to your organisation apparently. |
| July 23, 2020 at 9:31 pm | Convo |
A conversation is a discussion between rational people |
| July 23, 2020 at 9:27 pm | Peeps |
We are people not peeps |
| July 22, 2020 at 9:47 am | unprecedented |
Heard so often |
| June 3, 2020 at 11:03 am | 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. |
| 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