Comments on: BS baffles brains — why using jargon makes you look like an idiot http://www.thoughtleader.co.za/charlenesmith/2009/07/09/bs-baffles-brains-%e2%80%93-why-using-jargon-makes-you-look-like-an-idiot/ Sun, 12 Feb 2012 10:41:24 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: pete ess http://www.thoughtleader.co.za/charlenesmith/2009/07/09/bs-baffles-brains-%e2%80%93-why-using-jargon-makes-you-look-like-an-idiot/comment-page-1/#comment-90564 pete ess Mon, 24 Aug 2009 14:11:51 +0000 http://www.thoughtleader.co.za/charlenesmith/2009/07/09/bs-baffles-brains-%e2%80%93-why-using-jargon-makes-you-look-like-an-idiot/#comment-90564 Ja, but at the end of the day . . . Ja, but at the end of the day . . .

]]> By: Twitted by logikbot http://www.thoughtleader.co.za/charlenesmith/2009/07/09/bs-baffles-brains-%e2%80%93-why-using-jargon-makes-you-look-like-an-idiot/comment-page-1/#comment-88941 Twitted by logikbot Tue, 04 Aug 2009 17:57:30 +0000 http://www.thoughtleader.co.za/charlenesmith/2009/07/09/bs-baffles-brains-%e2%80%93-why-using-jargon-makes-you-look-like-an-idiot/#comment-88941 [...] This post was Twitted by logikbot [...] [...] This post was Twitted by logikbot [...]

]]> By: Nicolette http://www.thoughtleader.co.za/charlenesmith/2009/07/09/bs-baffles-brains-%e2%80%93-why-using-jargon-makes-you-look-like-an-idiot/comment-page-1/#comment-87724 Nicolette Mon, 20 Jul 2009 06:43:16 +0000 http://www.thoughtleader.co.za/charlenesmith/2009/07/09/bs-baffles-brains-%e2%80%93-why-using-jargon-makes-you-look-like-an-idiot/#comment-87724 I am all for a dictionary / thesaurus for jargon and cliches. Have found myself falling into the trap of using BS (mentally wagging a finger at myself)! Having such a resource to educate myself out of the habit will be great. Could have a test at the end of it - to see how far you have grown beyond jargon. I am all for a dictionary / thesaurus for jargon and cliches. Have found myself falling into the trap of using BS (mentally wagging a finger at myself)! Having such a resource to educate myself out of the habit will be great. Could have a test at the end of it – to see how far you have grown beyond jargon.

]]> By: Nicolaas Smith http://www.thoughtleader.co.za/charlenesmith/2009/07/09/bs-baffles-brains-%e2%80%93-why-using-jargon-makes-you-look-like-an-idiot/comment-page-1/#comment-87671 Nicolaas Smith Sat, 18 Jul 2009 02:15:41 +0000 http://www.thoughtleader.co.za/charlenesmith/2009/07/09/bs-baffles-brains-%e2%80%93-why-using-jargon-makes-you-look-like-an-idiot/#comment-87671 Charlene, There is BS jargon used by politicians and others for the reasons you explained above. Then there is professional jargon used by experts in a field. I can say in plain English what I want to get across: Accountants destroy lots of value in the economy with normal accounting. Do you grasp the full meaning of that? I think not. I have to use accounting jargon to try and get my fellow accountants to understand the full impact of the above statement on our economy and our lives. I think you can only discuss a complex concept in plain English with someone who already fully understands the concept. A plain English explanation to someone who does not grasp the full meaning of the plain English words - in relation to the concept - will not do the trick. Kindest regards Nicolaas Smith http://realvalueaccounting.blogspot.com http://finblogs.24.com/ViewBlog.aspx?blogid=c0aed443-0dc0-4430-ad48-e52f8ec67355 Charlene,

There is BS jargon used by politicians and others for the reasons you explained above. Then there is professional jargon used by experts in a field.

I can say in plain English what I want to get across:

Accountants destroy lots of value in the economy with normal accounting.

Do you grasp the full meaning of that?

I think not.

I have to use accounting jargon to try and get my fellow accountants to understand the full impact of the above statement on our economy and our lives.

I think you can only discuss a complex concept in plain English with someone who already fully understands the concept.

A plain English explanation to someone who does not grasp the full meaning of the plain English words – in relation to the concept – will not do the trick.

Kindest regards

Nicolaas Smith

http://realvalueaccounting.blogspot.com

http://finblogs.24.com/ViewBlog.aspx?blogid=c0aed443-0dc0-4430-ad48-e52f8ec67355

]]> By: Amy http://www.thoughtleader.co.za/charlenesmith/2009/07/09/bs-baffles-brains-%e2%80%93-why-using-jargon-makes-you-look-like-an-idiot/comment-page-1/#comment-87541 Amy Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:03:46 +0000 http://www.thoughtleader.co.za/charlenesmith/2009/07/09/bs-baffles-brains-%e2%80%93-why-using-jargon-makes-you-look-like-an-idiot/#comment-87541 www.plainenglish.co.uk Wonderful website, which offers alternatives to commonly used jargon. They also have a "golden bull" award, for examples of the worst offenders. http://www.plainenglish.co.uk

Wonderful website, which offers alternatives to commonly used jargon. They also have a “golden bull” award, for examples of the worst offenders.

]]> By: Dave Joubert http://www.thoughtleader.co.za/charlenesmith/2009/07/09/bs-baffles-brains-%e2%80%93-why-using-jargon-makes-you-look-like-an-idiot/comment-page-1/#comment-87255 Dave Joubert Mon, 13 Jul 2009 15:36:20 +0000 http://www.thoughtleader.co.za/charlenesmith/2009/07/09/bs-baffles-brains-%e2%80%93-why-using-jargon-makes-you-look-like-an-idiot/#comment-87255 I think a jargon and cliche dictionary, proposed by Peter L, is a good example of how we can pluck the low hanging fruits. Just thought I would parachute that idea down to you Or is that not a cliche yet? and work in synergy.. Charlene how about a blog on complicated instructions? I am regularly frustrated by complicated instructions meted out by bureaucrats, who, when you express confusion, sort of sigh and look at the ceiling, or start repeating the same instructions again, only louder and faster. Watching John Cleese, in the "Meaning of Life" giving complicated instructions to school boys on where to put their clothes after school (lower peg or upper peg depending upon an array of bizarrely irrelevant circumstances) is probably the best antidote for such experiences. One final thing, one man's jargon and cliche is another man's normal speak. Is it not correct that the cliche's of the past became normal speak of today, like you know what I mean? I think a jargon and cliche dictionary, proposed by Peter L, is a good example of how we can pluck the low hanging fruits. Just thought I would parachute that idea down to you Or is that not a cliche yet? and work in synergy.. Charlene how about a blog on complicated instructions? I am regularly frustrated by complicated instructions meted out by bureaucrats, who, when you express confusion, sort of sigh and look at the ceiling, or start repeating the same instructions again, only louder and faster. Watching John Cleese, in the “Meaning of Life” giving complicated instructions to school boys on where to put their clothes after school (lower peg or upper peg depending upon an array of bizarrely irrelevant circumstances) is probably the best antidote for such experiences.

One final thing, one man’s jargon and cliche is another man’s normal speak. Is it not correct that the cliche’s of the past became normal speak of today, like you know what I mean?

]]> By: Wavell http://www.thoughtleader.co.za/charlenesmith/2009/07/09/bs-baffles-brains-%e2%80%93-why-using-jargon-makes-you-look-like-an-idiot/comment-page-1/#comment-87187 Wavell Sun, 12 Jul 2009 12:27:56 +0000 http://www.thoughtleader.co.za/charlenesmith/2009/07/09/bs-baffles-brains-%e2%80%93-why-using-jargon-makes-you-look-like-an-idiot/#comment-87187 The Nelson Mandela Seventh Annual Leature , A Proffesor of economics NO JARGON The Nelson Mandela Seventh Annual Leature , A Proffesor of economics NO JARGON

]]> By: Paddy http://www.thoughtleader.co.za/charlenesmith/2009/07/09/bs-baffles-brains-%e2%80%93-why-using-jargon-makes-you-look-like-an-idiot/comment-page-1/#comment-87165 Paddy Sat, 11 Jul 2009 05:28:36 +0000 http://www.thoughtleader.co.za/charlenesmith/2009/07/09/bs-baffles-brains-%e2%80%93-why-using-jargon-makes-you-look-like-an-idiot/#comment-87165 The ultimate BS Fighter http://www.dailynugget.com/2003/06/bullshit-fighter/ Automate BS http://www.dack.com/web/bullshit.html The ultimate BS Fighter

http://www.dailynugget.com/2003/06/bullshit-fighter/

Automate BS

http://www.dack.com/web/bullshit.html

]]> By: Wavell http://www.thoughtleader.co.za/charlenesmith/2009/07/09/bs-baffles-brains-%e2%80%93-why-using-jargon-makes-you-look-like-an-idiot/comment-page-1/#comment-87149 Wavell Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:49:08 +0000 http://www.thoughtleader.co.za/charlenesmith/2009/07/09/bs-baffles-brains-%e2%80%93-why-using-jargon-makes-you-look-like-an-idiot/#comment-87149 This is a great piece,everything very true . Well Done . I always thought the use of jargon by in particular our government officials is an indication of that he or she is not up to it ,not a sign of being smart. This is a great piece,everything very true .
Well Done .
I always thought the use of jargon by in particular our government officials is an indication of that he or she is not up to it ,not a sign of being smart.

]]> By: Rudebag http://www.thoughtleader.co.za/charlenesmith/2009/07/09/bs-baffles-brains-%e2%80%93-why-using-jargon-makes-you-look-like-an-idiot/comment-page-1/#comment-87134 Rudebag Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:57:52 +0000 http://www.thoughtleader.co.za/charlenesmith/2009/07/09/bs-baffles-brains-%e2%80%93-why-using-jargon-makes-you-look-like-an-idiot/#comment-87134 that would be the 6 words that journalists use? that would be the 6 words that journalists use?

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