Re: Words that should never be uttered or documented...

["Mandy Williams" <mandy -dot- williams -at- trustdst -dot- com>]

This brings to mind a book called "Junk English" by Ken Smith. I haven't
read the book yet, but I heard a lecture by the author. He talks about how
we use inflated phrases or euphemisms, particularly in business, to the
detriment of straightforward, honest communication, and he provides a bunch
of categories for different types of "junk english." One example he used
that sticks in my mind is the rampant use of the word "issues" to replace
"problems." Hm, I believe there was recently a related discussion on the
list...



---------------------------------------------
Subject: Re: Words that should never be uttered or documented...
From: Sean Hower <hokumhome -at- freehomepage -dot- com>
Date: Fri, 19 Jul 2002 07:58:54 -0700 (PDT)
X-Message-Number: 30



Keith Carlson wrote:
In my experience, "best practice" is more descriptive when used correctly.

--------
And that's what it always comes down to. Using the words correctly. I'm all
for innovation and creativity, heck it's a sign of intelligence, but to
derive new vocabulary for already existing terms based on a
misinterpretation of the meaning of a word is just silly. It only serves to
reenforce the us-them syndrome. Mmm, that's a good point. Language is often
used as a way to put yourself apart from some other group of people.
Academia is REALLY good at doing this, especially when you get into the
squishy sciences like anthropology. ;-) I guess business and academia have
more in common than I thought...... :-)



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