Watch your language

Avoid words that may puzzle your listener, or may have several meetings. Telephone company men learn not to use jargon like “work a divided trick” with new operators. Even a simple phrase can have many meetings. If there can be so much obscurity in language apparently simple, how much more will there be in statements with complex syntax and an abundance of formidable words?” Many specialists can’t express themselves well enough to be understood outside their specialty, so they fail at teamwork and persuasion. But wiser men expect to be misunderstood; they take pains to help the other fellow grasp their thought. As they talk or write, they challenge themselves: “Can this possibly be misunderstood? Can I make it plainer, or more pleasant?”