8 words and phrases health care communicators should outlaw
One health care communicator takes our language to task, and makes some valid points along the way.
You see them all the time. Predictable, cliché, meaningless words that just fill space. They’re in nine out of ten health care ads. As a writer, they drive me insane. Here’s an irritating eight we can all do without.
State of the art: What exactly does that mean? Whose state are we talking about? And what art is this that has a state?
Utilization: Whatever happened to plain, old-fashioned “use.” Perfectly good word. Three letters. Says the same thing. Think about it.
Innovation: What exactly is the innovation? Why can’t you tell me what it is? Do I have to guess? Are you afraid to let me know because I will be so amazed I will fling my clothes into the wind in wild abandon, run down the street naked, crying tears of joy and amazement?
Cutting edge: This one’s my favorite. Especially when it’s used to describe surgery. Can’t you just forget about giving me the adjective and give me the details? Grrrrrr.
Nationally renowned: Says who? What nation? What body of wisdom and all suck-up-to-it-ness did we impress? What does that have to do with little old me, who needs a hospital and doctor who understand what I need?
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