Microsoft® Manual of Style, Fourth Edition

Jargon

Jargon, as a general reference to the technical language that is used by some particular profession or other group, is a neutral concept. In the right context, for a particular audience, jargon can serve as verbal shorthand for well-understood concepts. For example, technical terms are usually all right to use in content for a technical audience that expects a higher level of technical rigor.

However, in the wrong context, jargon is little more than technical slang that makes technology more difficult for many users. Many acronyms and abbreviations fall into this category. This category of jargon affects nearly all uninitiated users at least some of the time, especially worldwide users. In many cases, jargon is difficult to translate and ...