Jargonish

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. A manner of expression distinguished by the use of niche-specific language that can confuse those not acquainted with the topic
2. A way of communicating that incorporates complex terms and phrases, making it hard for the general public to grasp the meaning
3. A form of communication characterized by specialized terminology that often creates barriers for those unfamiliar with the subject matter

Etymology: "Jargonish" is a plain formation: the noun "jargon" with the suffix "-ish", which attaches to nouns to mean "having the qualities of" or "somewhat like" the base. So the word describes prose that reads like jargon, with some of its features but not necessarily all of them. The base word has its own unexpected history. "Jargon" originally referred to the twittering or chattering of birds, and it came into English from Old French, where it meant a confused, unintelligible babble. Only later did it come to name the specialized vocabulary of a trade or profession, and then the impenetrable language of insiders, which is the sense "jargonish" draws on. "Jargonesque" is a close relative, formed from the same base with the French-derived suffix "-esque" instead. The two are doublets, meaning two forms that developed separately from one source, and they took on the same sense in English.

Synonyms: technical, specialized, obscure, esoteric, slangy

Antonyms: plain, simple, clear, standard, common