Lengthy Memoranda and Gobbledygook Language by Maury Maverick

The documents below have been slowly collected since the late 90’s. Some of them I typed in by hand from much loved original sources, others I simply copied from somewhere online. All of them are here because at the moment I read them, they struck a chord within me.

Initially I saved bookmarks to my favourite writings, but over the years I discovered that links don’t last. More often then not when I went reread a story, or send a link to a friend, I found that it was no longer available.

Eventually I decided that if I wanted long term access to these writings, I had to keep copies of them myself. It didn’t take long to realise that if I was going to do that, I may as well share them with others.

Nearly all documents have been copied without permission and all of them remain under the copyright of the original author. Where I was able I have included attribution to the original author and site.

If any of these writings belong to you, and you would like them removed or the attribution changed, please let me know.

March 24, 1944
To: Everybody in Smaller War Plants Corporation
From: Maury Maverick, Chariman Gen. Manager
Subject: Lengthy Memoranda and Gobbledygook Language

Be short and use Plain English.

Memoranda should he as short as clearness will allow. The Naval officer who wired “Sighted Sub - Sank Same” told the whole story.

Put the real subject matter — the point — and even the conclusion, in the opening paragraph and the whole story on one page. Period! If a lengthy explanation, statistical matter, or such is necessary, use attachments.

Stay off gobbledygook language. It only fouls people up. For the Lord’s sake, be short and say what you’re talking about. Let’s stop “pointing-up” programs, “finalizing” contracts that “stem from” district, regional or Washington “levels”. There are no “levels” — local government is as high as Washington Government. No more patterns, effectuating, dynamics. Anyone using the words “activation” or “implementation” will be shot.

Lengthy Memoranda and Gobbledygook Language by Maury Maverick

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