There are terms or catch phrases that once had a specific meaning, which have become incorporated into everyday speech. Unfortunately most of them have now become overused or virtually meaningless. If you find your characters using these terms, it could be good to use a more specific, meaningful phrase that won’t annoy your readers. Unless the person using the jargon is the villain, of course!
Going forward – because your boss usually expects you to go backward?
To 'action' something – why not use a verb that shows the action?
Touch base – as a promise, about as likely to happen as “doing lunch”
Circle back - as above
Blue-sky thinking – because green sky is so 1990s?
Brainstorm – the term has actually been banned as politically incorrect
To take something offline – why not use explicit words – phone? Talk?
Low hanging fruit – because the easiest option is always the best one?
Get the ball rolling – why not just “begin”
Drill down – makes me think of the dentist
End of the day - which day? And when? close of business? Midnight? Or did you mean when the government changes?
World-class: because we know exactly how it’s done in every other nation
Best practices - as above
I’m sure you can think of many more.
Helen Woodall
helen.woodall@gmail.com
Helen is available to line edit and/ or content edit fiction and non-fiction. Rates on application.
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