Pompous language, euphemisms, and doublespeak.

Pompous language, euphemisms, and doublespeak. Stuffy or pompous language is unnecessarily formal for the purpose, audience, or topic. It often gives writing an insincere or unintentionally humorous tone, making a writer’s ideas seem insignificant or even unbelievable.

pompous

Pursuant to the August 9 memorandum regarding the increased unit cost of automotive fuels, it is incumbent upon us to endeavor to make maximal utilization of electronic or telephonic communication in lieu of personal visitation.

revised

As noted in the August 9 memo, higher gasoline prices require us to email or telephone whenever possible rather than make personal visits.

As the following examples illustrate, some writers will use words in an attempt to sound expert, and these puffed-up words can easily backfire.

INSTEAD OF TRY USING INSTEAD OF TRY USING
ascertain find out optimal best
commence begin parameters boundaries
finalize finish, complete peruse look at
impact (as verb) affect ramp up increase
methodology method utilize use

Euphemisms are words and phrases that make unpleasant ideas seem less harsh. Your position is being eliminated seeks to soften the blow of being fired or laid off. Other euphemisms include pass on or pass away for die and plus-sized for fat. Although euphemisms can sometimes appeal to an audience by showing that you are considerate of people’s feelings, they can also sound insincere or evasive.

Doublespeak is language used to hide or distort the truth. During massive layoffs and cutbacks in the business world, companies speak of firings as employee repositioning or proactive downsizing, and of unpaid time off as a furlough. The public—and particularly those who lose their jobs—recognize these terms for what they are.