jargons

Jargon refers to specialized vocabulary, expressions, and abbreviations used by a particular group, profession, or activity. It enables members to communicate quickly and precisely about domain-specific topics, but it can be opaque to outsiders. While the term is often associated with technical or professional language, it can also appear in hobbies, subcultures, and workplaces.

Origin and scope: The word originates from Old French jargon meaning language or speech; over time its meaning narrowed to refer to the specialized lexicon of a field.

Characteristics: Jargon includes terms, acronyms, shorthand, and metaphors that carry precise, agreed-upon meanings within the community. Some terms evolve as the field develops. Examples: medical jargon (bronchitis, MRI), legal jargon (habeas corpus, estoppel), computing jargon (API, latency).

Functions: Efficiency, precision, group identity.

Limitations: Barriers to understanding; risk of pretentiousness; can obscure rather than clarify; remedy is glossaries, definitions, and plain-language communication.

Relationship to slang: Jargon is technical language used within a group; it is not the same as slang. Slang is informal language used by a broader group; some jargon becomes common parlance over time.

In practice: Many organizations maintain glossaries; training and documentation aim to balance accuracy with readability. The term "jargon" itself sometimes carries a negative connotation if used to mock outsiders.

See also: specialized vocabulary, glossaries, plain language movement.