This Working Life Will jargon ever be 'phased out' altogether?
Dec 22, 2024
Dr. Howie Manns, a linguistics expert from Monash University, and Zachariah Brown, an assistant professor specializing in jargon at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, tackle the pervasive use of professional jargon. They discuss its dual nature—how it can facilitate communication but also create misunderstandings. The conversation delves into euphemistic language in HR, the influence of sports metaphors in business, and the balance between fostering group identity and ensuring clarity in workplace communication.
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Good Jargon Examples
- Call signs in Top Gun serve as good jargon, fostering camaraderie while minimizing rank differences in the cockpit.
- "Ducks on the Pond" signals a need to adjust language, originating from Australian shearing sheds.
Bad Jargon Examples
- Bad jargon often obscures unpleasant realities, like using "rightsize" instead of "fired".
- Economists use "neighborhood effects" to downplay environmental damage.
Sports Jargon Origins
- Business jargon's use of sports metaphors originates from early 20th-century sports writing.
- Newspapers invested in quality writers, leading to a surge in metaphors, especially from baseball, boxing, and horse racing.