Sometimes, jargon can seem superfluous, especially when used by someone who may just want to impress you with their niche knowledge or skills. This person will probably come off as a little bit arrogant. You may even have been<\/em> this person yourself at some point \u2014 it feels good to know what you\u2019re talking about, or to have a little more know-how about something. But truly, the intent behind jargon should be efficiency, and not just to say, \u201cCleat that line, we have a starboard tack,\u201d just to show off.<\/p>\n Sailing<\/a>\u00a0provides great examples of jargon, its usefulness, and even its questionable use cases \u2014 and you’ll no doubt notice that I used some sailing jargon in the previous paragraph.<\/p>\n I went sailing with a friend who not only let me know I had my \u201cport\u201d (left side when facing forward) and \u201cstarboard\u201d (right side when facing forward) mixed up the whole time, but that when it\u2019s time to \u201ctack,\u201d that means to brace, duck an oncoming sail if needed, \u201ccleat a line,\u201d and then move to the other side of the boat to help distribute weight. The ropes on boats are referred to as lines, and the cleats are what keep them in place when you want to tighten or loosen a sail.<\/p>\n I then realized that there is more than one type of \u201ccleat.” My friend had referred to three metal attachments on the boat, all different shapes, so I asked, \u201cThese are all called \u2018cleats?’\u201d To which my friend, a certified sailing instructor, goes, \u201cYeah, I guess so.\u201d Sometimes, things are just called things. And admitting when you don\u2019t have all the information does make the use of jargon seem more legitimate \u2014 sometimes for ease of use, not all the details make perfect sense. To call that metal thing a cleat, and that other metal thing a cleat, won\u2019t stand in the way of getting the job done. Calling them \u201csmall cleat\u201d and \u201cstandard cleat\u201d might help, but if you\u2019re in a sailing situation, with high winds and a line that needs to be secured, you\u2019ll know what to do and what cleat to use. Sometimes instincts and specific jargon work hand-in-hand.<\/p>\n Sailing is totally different from boating on a pontoon or speedboat. Sailing is hands-on: you are effectively a crew member. Sails and lines need adjusting, and the wind \u2014\u00a0which is always moving, speeding up, and changing \u2014 is your guide. Being on your toes, metaphorically and physically, is essential, and having that jargon helps immensely. But when initially learning the ins and outs of sailing, the jargon can seem like another hurdle to overcome, along with trying not to get whacked in the face when tacking (\u201ctacking,” as an action, means to change direction of the boat, while \u201ctack,\u201d as a noun, refers to the direction you\u2019re going, relative to the wind). The jargon shouldn\u2019t be intimidating \u2014 learning a new skill requires asking questions, trying things out, and learning from those who have a bit more experience.<\/p>\n Jargon is a tool, and when treated that way, can be an effective, efficient, and even fun way to get a job done. But as with any tool, it needs to be used properly. When creating surveys or communicating with customers<\/a> and employees, it’s crucial to avoid unnecessary jargon that will only confuse or irritate your audience. Jargon has its place, but your target audience<\/a> must know what you’re talking about. Otherwise, they’ll be lost at sea \u2014 and no one wants that.<\/p>\n My friend and I made it back to the dock. I had helped with the sailing duties, and got off the boat knowing the difference between \u201cjib\u201d and \u201cjibe.\u201d And I won\u2019t forget which side is starboard again.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Having a shorthand for a specific task or within a specific field can be helpful, time saving, and even life saving. In an operating room, it\u2019s far quicker to tell a surgeon to get a \u201cfour-by-four” rather than to say, \u201cGet me that gauze and make sure it\u2019s four inches by four inches square.” Sometimes, jargon can seem superfluous, especially when used by someone who may just want to impress you with their niche knowledge or skills. This person will probably come off as a little bit arrogant. You may even have been this person yourself at some point \u2014 it feels good to know what you\u2019re talking about, or to have a little more know-how about something. But truly, the intent behind jargon should be efficiency, and not just to say, \u201cCleat that line, we have a starboard tack,\u201d just to show off. Sailing\u00a0provides great examples of jargon, its usefulness, and even its questionable use cases \u2014 and you’ll no doubt notice that I used some sailing jargon in the previous paragraph. I went sailing with a friend who not only let me know I had my \u201cport\u201d (left side when facing forward) and \u201cstarboard\u201d (right side when facing forward) mixed up the whole time, but that when it\u2019s time to \u201ctack,\u201d that means to brace, duck an oncoming sail if needed, \u201ccleat a line,\u201d and then move to the other side of the boat to help distribute weight. The ropes on boats are referred to as lines, and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":63,"featured_media":5050,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[678,679,680],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.sogolytics.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/sail1-1024x683.jpg\")
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