rhizoverbBeta
DictionarygobbledygookConfusing language
noun

gobbledygook

GAH-bul-dee-gook/ˈɡɑbəldiˌɡʊk/

Language made hard to understand by needless words or jargon.

The editor replaces the gobbledygook “Initiate ambulation” with “Walk.”

An edited piece of needlessly complicated language: a short draft reading “Initiate ambulation.” is struck through and replaced by the plain word “Walk.” The actual wording, rather than document bulk or tangled diagrams, supplies the meaning.
Etymology

Maury Maverick said he invented the word in imitation of turkey noise. It mocks pompous official language as noisy chatter rather than clear, meaningful speech.

In context

Medality (formerly MRI Online)8:44
speech that is fluent but empty of content so-called gobbledygook
Neuro Imaging: Board and Recredentialing Review 2

More examples

  • The instructions are full of technical gobbledygook.
  • Can you explain the policy without all the gobbledygook?
  • The bank's letter buries a simple answer in gobbledygook.

Forms

gobbledygook

Similar words

jargon
Specialized vocabulary that can be useful among experts.
bureaucratese
Complicated official language specifically associated with bureaucracies.
verbiage
Excessive wording, whether or not it includes technical terms.