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gobbledygook

noun

/ˈgɒb əl diˌgʊk/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of gobbledygook

Language or writing that is meaningless, complicated, jargon-filled, or intentionally difficult to understand.
"The legal document was filled with gobbledygook that made it difficult to understand its implications."

Detailed meaning of gobbledygook

It is often characterized by an excessive use of technical terms, convoluted syntax, or inflated vocabulary, which can obfuscate meaning and hinder clear communication. Gobbledygook is typically associated with bureaucratic or corporate contexts, where it is used to create an impression of authority or expertise, but often results in confusion and frustration for the reader or listener. This type of language tends to be vague, ambiguous, and unnecessarily verbose, making it challenging for the average person to comprehend. Gobbledygook can also be used satirically or humorously to highlight the absurdity of convoluted language. In essence, gobbledygook represents a departure from clear and concise communication, hindering effective understanding and creating barriers to meaningful dialogue.

Example sentences containing gobbledygook

1. The politician's speech was filled with gobbledygook, making it hard to decipher his actual stance on the issue.
2. I tried reading the user manual, but it was full of technical gobbledygook that left me even more confused.
3. The professor's lecture was laden with gobbledygook, leaving the students scratching their heads.
4. The company's press release was filled with marketing gobbledygook that obscured the actual product features.
5. The instructions for assembling the furniture were a maze of gobbledygook, leading to frustration and a wobbly end result.
6. The government report was written in bureaucratic gobbledygook that made it nearly impossible to understand the proposed policies.

History and etymology of gobbledygook

The noun 'gobbledygook' is a whimsical and humorous term that emerged in the United States in the 1940s. It is believed to be a blend of several English words, including 'gobble,' which implies the rapid, incoherent, and excessive consumption of food, and 'gook,' which was a slang term used during World War II to refer to foreign or unfamiliar things. The fusion of these words creates a playful and expressive term that describes language or writing that is meaningless, overly complicated, filled with jargon, or intentionally designed to be difficult to understand. 'Gobbledygook' captures the essence of confusion and obfuscation in communication, highlighting the frustration that can arise when confronted with convoluted or obscure language. Its etymology reflects its lighthearted nature and its role in humorously critiquing the complexities of bureaucratic, technical, or overly verbose language.

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Further usage examples of gobbledygook

1. The scientific research paper was filled with jargon and gobbledygook that made it inaccessible to non-experts.
2. The corporate email was filled with gobbledygook and buzzwords, creating confusion among employees.
3. The contract was drafted in gobbledygook, leaving both parties unsure of their rights and obligations.
4. The software manual was written in technical gobbledygook that only seasoned programmers could decipher.
5. The company's financial statement was filled with accounting gobbledygook that made it challenging to evaluate their performance.
6. The politician's promises were wrapped in gobbledygook, making it hard to discern their true intentions.
7. The terms and conditions were buried in gobbledygook, causing users to unknowingly agree to unfavorable terms.
8. The presentation was riddled with gobbledygook, making it difficult for the audience to grasp the key points.
9. The scientific conference was a mixture of groundbreaking research and gobbledygook-laden presentations.
10. The technical support representative spoke in gobbledygook, leaving the frustrated customer more bewildered than before.
11. The insurance policy was written in legal gobbledygook, requiring a lawyer's assistance to understand the coverage.
12. The marketing brochure was filled with gobbledygook, making it hard to determine the product's actual benefits.
13. The government's explanation of the new tax law was rife with gobbledygook, leaving citizens with more questions than answers.
14. The legal document was filled with incomprehensible gobbledygook.
15. He tried to explain the complex theory without resorting to gobbledygook.
16. The politician's speech was nothing but political gobbledygook.
17. The user manual was full of technical gobbledygook.
18. The professor's lecture was a maze of academic gobbledygook.
19. They dismissed his report as corporate gobbledygook.
20. The contract's gobbledygook left us puzzled about our rights.
21. The scientific paper was dense with jargon and gobbledygook.
22. The consultant's presentation was riddled with financial gobbledygook.
23. She translated the medical jargon into plain language, eliminating gobbledygook.
24. The artist's statement was a masterpiece of abstract gobbledygook.