Jargon is the specialized language of a professional or occupational profession. While this language is often helpful or necessary for those within the group, it is usually meaningless to outsiders. Many professions have so much jargon of their own that it has its name; for example, lawyers use legalese, while academics use academese. Jargon is sometimes known as lingo or argot.
Examples of Jargon
- I need a script in order to pick up the medicine. (medical jargon for “prescription”)
- I need a nurse to room 12 stat. (medical jargon for “in a hurry”)
- Your objection is overruled. (legal jargon)
- We need to take data points to determine if there has been a response to the intervention. (educational jargon)
- The suspect is headed west on Route 10. All available units, respond. (police jargon)
- In ballet, a cabriole is a type of step in which the extended legs beat during a jump.
- In fencing, a derobement is when someone effectively avoids another person’s attempt to take their sword.
- In the corporate world, a deliverable is a project or task that must be completed on time to be verified by another individual or group.
- In poker, all in means the player is betting all of their chips in their current turn.
