Abstract
Every discipline employs its own secretive words – jargon that allows initiates to communicate with one another in a way that excludes others. The world of medicine is no exception. The idioms used by doctors and surgeons range from the humorous to terms which seem designed to deliberately obscure the real meaning of the word. Other phrases stand out simply due to the incongruous pairing of everyday words. This article contains some real-life examples of all these because, as you know, sometimes words have two meanings.
Download the full article
References
- Fox AT, Fertleman M, Cahill P, Palmer RD. Medical slang in British hospitals. Ethics & behaviour. 2003;13(2): 173-89.
- James R, Nasmyth-Jones R. The occurrence of cervical fractures in victims of judicial hanging. Forensic science international. 1992;54(1): 81-91.
- Hoffman R. Do you have “poor protoplasm”? Intelligent Medicine™. 2016 [cited 2016 Feb 12]. Available from: http://drhoffman.com/article/ do-you-have-poor-protoplasm/
Visit the EMWA website
Search
Articles
Member Login
Links
Editoral Board
Editor-in-Chief
Co-Editors
Managing Editor
Victoria White
Associate Editors
Section Editors
Biotechnology
Digital Communication
EMWA News
Gained in Translation
Getting Your Foot in the Door
Good Writing Practice
In the Bookstores
Manuscript Writing
Medical Communications/Writing for Patients
Medical Devices
My First Medical Writing
News from the EMA
Out on Our Own
Pharmacovigilance
Regulatory Matters
Regulatory Public Disclosure
Teaching Medical Writing
The Crofter: Sustainable Communications
Veterinary Writing
Editors Emeritus
Lay out Designer
Chris Monk