Jargon

Jargon is vocabulary used exclusively by a particular group, such as the members of a profession or a subculture. Although jargon sometimes communicates new ideas, it also serves to separate people inside the group from people outside of it. By its very definition, jargon is only understood by a select few and is therefore usually not the most effective tool available to you for communicating your ideas.

 

Medicine, law, education, the military, the entertainment world, and most academic disciplines have their own jargons. The jargons of bureaucracy and business, however, are probably the most widespread and are thus the jargons many people know best and are most tempted to use.

 

In many business settings, using jargon is almost required, but you should try to avoid it as much as possible. While some of your colleagues may see jargon as the badge of true insider, many others will regard it as pretentious, smug, and evidence of a lazy mind.

 

The list below includes examples of business jargon that have been resoundingly derided in recent years.

 

    bottom line: The bottom line is that he should be fired. 
   use instead: main point or result
  

 

    communication: You should send a communication to his firm. 
   use instead: a specific method of communication (e.g., a letter, a telephone call, an e-mail, etc.)
  

 

    credentialed: The applicant is properly credentialed. 
   use instead: has (have) credentials
  

 

    dialogue (as a verb): We need todialogue about the problem. 
   use instead: have a discussion
  

 

    expedite: What can we do toexpedite the process? 
   use instead: speed up oraccelerate
  

 

    facilitate: A manager shouldfacilitate her staff’s efforts. 
   use instead: help or make easier
  

 

    feedback: Let me know yourfeedback. 
   use instead: response
  

 

    impact (as a verb): How will thisimpact our deadline? 
   use instead: affect or have an effect on
  

 

    implement: Implement this plan as soon as possible. 
   use instead: put into action
  

 

    in the affirmative: The supervisor replied in the affirmative. 
   use instead: yes
  

 

    input: I would like to have yourinput. 
   use instead: opinion
  

 

    interface: We need to interfacewith other departments. 
   use instead: interact
  

 

    leverage: To get approval on the plan, we need more leverage. 
   use instead: clout, power, orauthority
  

 

    liaise: You should liaise between the two departments. 
   use instead: act as a liaison
  

 

    optimize: What should we do tooptimize morale? 
   use instead: improve
  

 

    parameters: We need to set precise parameters. 
   use instead: limits
  

 

    prioritize: I need to prioritize my goals. 
   use instead: set priorities (among)
  

 

    proactive: A proactive approach will allow us to continue to dominate the market. 
   use instead: a phrase that suggests anticipation of future events (e.g., “anticipating what may happen in the future” instead of “a proactive approach”)
  

 

    process: We should all participate in the decision-makingprocess. 
   use instead: a more direct phrase (e.g., “making the decision” instead of “the decision-making process”)
  

 

    same: If you took my stapler, please return same. 
   use instead: it or that
  

 

    scenario: If the market shifts, what scenario will follow? 
   use instead: events or sequence of events
  

 

    time frame: I will finish the report within an acceptable time frame. 
   use instead: period of time
  

 

    utilize: How should we bestutilize this information? 
   use instead: use
  

 

    viable: Let me know if this plan is viable. 
   use instead: feasible