More details: Found hereIf you felt a bit lost at first, don't worry. You've just experienced the confusing world of specialized jargon. I opened with Klingon, Star Trek's fictional language, followed by Na'vi from Avatar, before finally landing on good old English.
This linguistic rollercoaster I just put you through is not unlike being on the receiving end of business jargon. A recent survey by VoiceNation has pulled back the curtain on this linguistic chaos. The company polled 1,000 Americans across different industries and age groups to find out which jargon people understand, and which they do not. The results? Let's just say we're not all on the same page—or even reading the same book.
Readers in industries like manufacturing, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals were the pickiest bunch, misunderstanding an average of five jargon terms. Marketers targeting these sectors take note: Clarity is your new best friend.
Younger workers, particularly Gen Z, were more likely to sling and understand jargon. Older workers, particularly those aged 55–64, were more likely to be left scratching their heads. So, know your audience. Are they down with the lingo, or will they think you're speaking gibberish?
We can't ignore the effect of jargon on workplace culture, either. Forty-three percent of workers believe corporate jargon can alienate those who don't understand it. Twenty-three percent feel it makes people sound less professional. In other words, jargon is the office clique no one wants to join.
Now, let's dissect the top 10 most misunderstood business jargon terms and look at alternatives so you can keep clarity in the forefront as you write and edit.
Boil the ocean was misunderstood by 61% of respondents. Trying to boil an entire ocean? That's what this phrase implies—an impossible, overly complex task. Instead, keep it simple. Try using the phrases simplify the approach , scale back the project , or don't overcomplicate things . Each alternative gets the point across without confusion.
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