The problem with all those ‘cool names’ and ‘unique language’ stuff is that it’s just another term for jargon. At its worst, jargon is a form of snobbery used by those who know the meaning of the terms, thus excluding those who don’t.

The flip side of jargon is that certain professions, domains of knowledge etc. need very defined terms to describe what they do. For example, a surgeon must clearly describe to others in the operating theater what part of the knee she’s going to operate on and what procedures she will use. She couldn’t just say she’s going to do knee surgery — she needs to be specific and her colleagues and assistants need to understand EXACTLY what is to happen.

There’s a fine line between snobbery and necessity when it comes to jargon. But ultimately it depends, as always, on the audience. A surgeon speaking in a social situation with non-medical friends and family would be better understood if she says ‘knee surgery’; however, if she was speaking at a medical conference she would have to use the specific terms (the jargon).

That explains so much about our connubial life, Dick.

(I miiiiiiiiis you.)