Jargon
/ˈdʒɑː.ɡən/noun
Special words or expressions used by a profession or group that are difficult for others to understand.
Did you know?The term 'jargon' originally referred to the chatter of birds, suggesting a sense of coded communication that only certain listeners could understand.
Etymological Timeline
Late Latin
Latin
jargō
“Chatter, the sound of birds.”
Early Middle English
Old French
jargon
“A form of speech or language, often unintelligible.”
14th Century
Middle English
jargon
“A specific dialect or technical language used by a particular group.”
Modern English
English
jargon
“Specialized language used within a profession or group.”
Explore more surprising origins