Jargon

Jargon is terminology which is especially defined in relationship to a specific activity, profession, group, or event. In "Into Thin Air" Krakauer uses jargon to describe some of the equipment and activities involved in mountain climbing. Try to recall some of the terms he uses that are particular to mountain climbing, then try to think if you use any jargon yourself. Is there any activity you take part in that has it's own vocabulary or slang? What about being a student? Are there special terms that are particular to that? Hint: sometimes we are so immersed in our activities that we don't even realize that we are using specialized language.


"Into Thin Air" makes use of some jargon associated with mountain climbing. Phrases and terms such as "short-roping" and "rappelling" were used to describe specific mountain climbing activities. This use of jargon would mean little or nothing to someone who has no knowledge of mountain climbing.


I guess I also take use of jargon, sometimes without realizing it. As students, we also utilized jargon by simplifying class names/textbook names and pronouncing them based on their acronyms ("lant" refers to LANT - Language Arts, "a-push" refers to APUSH, AP US History, "psych" refers to Psychology, and our "LOL" refers to our "Language of Literature" textbook).


We also utilize internet jargon when we IM our friends or read blog posts. Acronyms such as "lol" (laugh out loud), "ftj" (fuel the jet), and "rofl" (roll on floor laughing) are just three examples of countless phrases of internet jargon, many of which I have never heard before. In addition, the creation of emoticons by linking specific keyboard symbols together may also be deemed a type of internet jargon.


When I am gaming with friends, we also utilize a kind of jargon. Words like " 'nade" (grenade), "spawn-killing" (picking off opponents right as they enter a battle), "camping" (picking off opponents from one specific location), and "tea-bagging" (crouching repeatedly over the dead body of an opponent, a derogatory act in the video-gaming world) are thrown around the room.