Jargon is technical language developed and used by people who participate in a specialized field. Every occupation or special field of interest, from rocketry to rock collecting, hang-gliding to hydroponics, has its specialized vocabulary. These functional varieties of language are fully understood only by the initiated those who know their way about that particular field.

The uses of Jargon

It seems true, in general, that things are invented or brought into being in response to a need. This is certainly true of jargon.

The invention of specialized vocabulary in specialized fields has come about because of:

1. the need to communicate about things and ideas which cannot be accurately described using ordinary colloquial, or ever formal, language or, in other cases, the need to communicate in one word (or few words) what would otherwise require many words of descriptive, everyday language. This use jargon seems to be justified.
2. the desire to hide knowledge from the uninitiated (those not qualified in a particular field). Jargon words, in this instance, are intended to mystify and to sound impressive. When used this way they hinder communication rather than facilitating it. Such use, whether in commerce, law, medicine, or a field of science, deserves critical exposure.