gobbledegook

Gobbledegook is a pejorative term for language that is deliberately obscure, overly elaborate, or meaningless, especially in official, bureaucratic, or legal contexts. It describes writing or speech that is hard to understand due to jargon, long sentences, many nominalizations, and excessive use of acronyms or filler phrases. The aim of gobbledegook is often unclear, while the effect is confusion rather than clarity.

Etymology and history: The word began appearing in English in the mid-20th century, with many spellings in use, such as gobbledygook, gobbledegook, or gobbledydegook. The exact origin is uncertain, but the term is widely understood as a playful imitation of speech that sounds impressive but conveys little.

Usage and context: Gobbledegook is used to criticize communication that prioritizes form over clarity, particularly in government memos, regulatory texts, policy papers, contracts, and other formal documents. It is often discussed in the context of plain language movements, which advocate for clearer, more accessible writing.

Characteristics and effects: Common features include dense syntax, heavy reliance on passive voice, nominalizations, and specialized jargon. The consequence is reduced readability and hindrance to public understanding, rather than improved precision.

See also: bureaucratese, legalese, jargon, plain language movement.

Note: The term appears in dictionaries and style guides as a way to describe and discourage unclear official communication.