Learning English For Work Business Jargon: What is jargon?
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Dec 8, 2025 Explore the quirky world of business jargon and how it can baffle new employees. Phil and Pippa share personal tales of confusion at work and dissect phrases like 'end of play' and 'boil the ocean.' Hear insights from city workers who have mixed feelings about jargon, from love to loathing. John Fiset highlights how jargon can create barriers, especially for non-native speakers. Tune in to learn how communicating clearly can clear the path for collaboration!
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Jargon Is Group-Specific Language
- Jargon consists of words and phrases used by a group that many others do not understand.
- Phil and Pippa explain that not understanding jargon is often not an English problem but a vocabulary of workplace groups.
Host's Personal Jargon Struggle
- Phil shares his own experience struggling with acronyms and processes at BBC Learning English.
- He says it took him ages to understand what colleagues were talking about.
Workers' Mixed Reactions In The City
- Ed Butler asked city workers how they feel about jargon and got mixed reactions.
- Responses ranged from ‘I hate it’ to ‘I love using them; you sound more important.’