officialese
nounUK /ə.fɪ.ʃəˈliːz/
Etymology From official + -ese.
1
The typical language of officials or official documents; legalistic and pompous language.
- These were men, the chronicler continued, who ‘spoke pleasantly’, in the smooth officialese that most of Henry's counsellors were accustomed to deploy […]2011, Thomas Penn, Winter King, Penguin, published 2012, page 263:
- But while using officialese might give your writing the outward appearance of being thorough and correct, that doesn't mean there's anything happening underneath. Officialese is a kind of defense mechanism. It's rooted in the fear of getting something wrong, or leaving something out, or looking stupid.2021, Tom Albrighton, How to Write Clearly […] , ABC Business Communications Ltd, →ISBN, page 144:
- Related terms
- legalese