Unsuck it
Why do corporate emails sound the way it sounds? Do we really have to use big words to convey what we mean? This isn't a vocabulary contest. Neither are we competing to confuse the readers. Communication is the exchange of ideas, knowledge and information. Why should we hide it behind a wall of complex words?
Emails I see today are nothing but strings of nonsensical jargons. Some use it to sound serious and authoritative, some use it to confuse others, and for some the habit is so deeply entrenched that they cannot write in any other way. These guys need therapy.
Most of these jargons were probably coined by douchebags whose favourite feature in Microsoft Word was the built-in thesaurus. Remember Joey's recommendation letter in the sitcom F.R.I.E.N.D.S? Yeah, I laughed too but there are people who actually think that it is a smart thing to do. Unless used sparingly, a thesaurus is like a poison.
Let me show you the antidote: Unsuck it. Type in the word or phrase you want to simplify and get the replacement. It's like a thesaurus but for the *real* smart people. What we need is Unsuck it pushed down everyone's throat.
Why am I so concerned? Well, have you noticed that smart chap who joined the team recently? Initially, his emails are like a breath of fresh air. The words are simple and do not sound emotionally detached. He cares about the reader. By coaxing others to use simple language, he might even try to be a jargon-buster. Unfortunately, he seldom succeeds. Pretty soon he has to cave in. The new guy blends in; jargons survive.
We can change this. Keep it simple, stupid sir.
PS: "Impact" isn't a verb. Please don't use it like one.
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