General
gobbledygook
What does gobbledygook mean?
Language that is wordy, jargon-laden, and unintelligible, especially the inflated prose of bureaucrats and officials.
"The memo was three pages of pure gobbledygook."
Origin
Coined in 1944 by Texas congressman Maury Maverick, who was disgusted with the convoluted jargon of wartime Washington bureaucracy. He said it reminded him of a turkey's gobble, hence 'gobbledygook.'
Frequently asked questions
What does gobbledygook mean?
Pompous, jargon-filled language that's hard to understand and often meaningless.
Where did gobbledygook come from?
It was coined in 1944 by U.S. congressman Maury Maverick, fed up with wartime bureaucratic jargon; he likened it to a turkey's gobble.
Is gobbledygook still used?
Yes — it's a standard English word for bureaucratic or technical babble.
Who coined the word?
Texas representative Maury Maverick, in a 1944 memo banning convoluted language in his office.
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