M
Mike Kruger
Guest
<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> In the traffic reports, roads are not blocked, "roadways" are blocked.
> We don't have rain but "rainstorms", we don't ride bicycle by pushing
> on cranks, we use "crankarms", cars don't crash into the median but do
> so into "the center divide." Who comes up with this jargon?
>
Good question. I'd guess there are several factors contributing, two of
which are:
1. Consultant-ese. A consultant can't improve your accounting. They have to
improve your "accounting process". We don't have files anymore, we have
"database structures". Businesses will pay more for jargon. I used to write
specs. Now I write "technical requirements". I don't talk to programmers
anymore; I go to "Joint Application Design" meetings or "Tollgate Review
Processes". These meetings aren't moderated (or refereed!). They are
"facilitated".
2. Fear of dead air. Media people have to fill a certain time slot, and
it's a lot easier to fill it up with circumlocations than actual reporting.
We get used to listening to them, and unconsciously adopt some of their
habits.
news:[email protected]...
>
> In the traffic reports, roads are not blocked, "roadways" are blocked.
> We don't have rain but "rainstorms", we don't ride bicycle by pushing
> on cranks, we use "crankarms", cars don't crash into the median but do
> so into "the center divide." Who comes up with this jargon?
>
Good question. I'd guess there are several factors contributing, two of
which are:
1. Consultant-ese. A consultant can't improve your accounting. They have to
improve your "accounting process". We don't have files anymore, we have
"database structures". Businesses will pay more for jargon. I used to write
specs. Now I write "technical requirements". I don't talk to programmers
anymore; I go to "Joint Application Design" meetings or "Tollgate Review
Processes". These meetings aren't moderated (or refereed!). They are
"facilitated".
2. Fear of dead air. Media people have to fill a certain time slot, and
it's a lot easier to fill it up with circumlocations than actual reporting.
We get used to listening to them, and unconsciously adopt some of their
habits.