Over the summer, I posted a list of words I banned from my science writing class at Shoals Marine Lab. Readers offered some equally abysmal suggestions. And this fall, teaching a seminar at Yale, I came across some others. I suspect that this list is just going to keep growing. So I’m giving it a home here, where I can add in new entries as they arise in assignments in my classes. You can easily direct people to it through this url: http://bit.ly/zimmerwords [no caps].
By assembling this list, I don’t mean to say that no one should ever use these words. I am not teaching people how to write scientific papers. What I mean is that anyone who wants to learn how to write about science–and to be read by people who aren’t being paid to read–should work hard to learn how to explain science in plain yet elegant English–not by relying on scientific jargon, code-words, deadening euphemisms, or meaningless cliches.
Access (verb)
And/or (Logic gates do not belong in prose)
Anomalous
Anthropogenic
Breakthrough (unless you are covering Principia Mathematica)
Captive observation
Clinical setting
Community ecology (this ban does not extend to the subject of community ecology)
Component
Context
Cracked the code (especially when it comes to sequencing DNA. DNA is not the same thing as the genetic code)
Demographic leveling
Elucidate
et al
Facilitate
Food source (when just “food” will do)
Forcings
“Further research is needed” (or anything like that)
Holy Grail
Immunocompromised
Impact (as a verb. Impacted is fine you’re talking about teeth or bowels.)
In (when used in phrases like “experiments in mouse“)
In vitro
In vivo
Informed (people can be informed. As for “The discussion was informed…”? Ack.)
Insult (referring to an injury)
Interaction
Interdisciplinary
Interface (especially as a verb)
Intermediate host
Interested in (as in, “Dr. Frankenstein is interested in tissue regeneration.” Transforms passion and excitement into a boring parlor game)
It has been shown (noxious in many ways)
Linked to X (where X=Alzheimer’s, autism, cancer, or any heavily funded area of research. “Linked” tells the reader nearly nothing.]
Literally (even if it’s used accurately, the word is generally useless)
Marine environment
Material properties
Mechanism
Methodology
Miracle (or Miracle cure)
Missing link (don’t get me started…)
Mitigation
Modulate
Molecular systematists
Morphology
Multiple (as in many? Then just use many)
Musty (when referring to museum collections, unless those collections are in fact in an attic with holes in the roof through which rain steadily falls)
Non-marine environment
Novel (the adjective is banned. The noun, as in War and Peace, is fine.)
Optimum
Orthogonal
Paradigm shift
Parameter (also, parameterize)
Pathogenicity
Phylogenetics
Predation
Predator-Prey Relationship
Processes
Proxies
Recently (when you actually mean “ten years ago”)
Recruit, recruitment (unless you’re writing about the Army)
Regime (unless you’re referring to Mobutu in Zaire)
Robust (as in, robust data. But robust wine? Yes, please.)
Scientists have learned in recent years that… (A dodge to escape explaining what actually happened)
Seminal
Sociopolitical
Substrate [try things like dirt, mud, rock, etc.]
Sustainability
System (as in, “He chose mouse as a system to study”)
This (if there is no antecedent in sight)
Transmissibility
Trivial (in the way scientists like to use it: “This problem is trivial.” Non-trivial is even worse.)
Utilize
Via
Virulence
We (as in “We now know the fatality ratio of the current H1N1 influenza epidemic.” We includes your readers, most of whom don’t know–yet.)
Go Further
Animals
- Octopuses have a lot of secrets. Can you guess 8 of them?
- Animals
- Feature
Octopuses have a lot of secrets. Can you guess 8 of them? - This biologist and her rescue dog help protect bears in the AndesThis biologist and her rescue dog help protect bears in the Andes
- An octopus invited this writer into her tank—and her secret worldAn octopus invited this writer into her tank—and her secret world
- Peace-loving bonobos are more aggressive than we thoughtPeace-loving bonobos are more aggressive than we thought
Environment
- This ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrificeThis ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrifice
- U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?
- Food systems: supporting the triangle of food security, Video Story
- Paid Content
Food systems: supporting the triangle of food security - Will we ever solve the mystery of the Mima mounds?Will we ever solve the mystery of the Mima mounds?
- Are synthetic diamonds really better for the planet?Are synthetic diamonds really better for the planet?
- This year's cherry blossom peak bloom was a warning signThis year's cherry blossom peak bloom was a warning sign
History & Culture
- Strange clues in a Maya temple reveal a fiery political dramaStrange clues in a Maya temple reveal a fiery political drama
- How technology is revealing secrets in these ancient scrollsHow technology is revealing secrets in these ancient scrolls
- Pilgrimages aren’t just spiritual anymore. They’re a workout.Pilgrimages aren’t just spiritual anymore. They’re a workout.
- This ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrificeThis ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrifice
- This ancient cure was just revived in a lab. Does it work?This ancient cure was just revived in a lab. Does it work?
- See how ancient Indigenous artists left their markSee how ancient Indigenous artists left their mark
Science
- This 80-foot-long sea monster was the killer whale of its timeThis 80-foot-long sea monster was the killer whale of its time
- Every 80 years, this star appears in the sky—and it’s almost timeEvery 80 years, this star appears in the sky—and it’s almost time
- How do you create your own ‘Blue Zone’? Here are 6 tipsHow do you create your own ‘Blue Zone’? Here are 6 tips
- Why outdoor adventure is important for women as they ageWhy outdoor adventure is important for women as they age
Travel
- Slow-roasted meats and fluffy dumplings in the Czech capitalSlow-roasted meats and fluffy dumplings in the Czech capital
- Want to travel like a local? Sleep in a Mongolian yurt or an Amish farmhouseWant to travel like a local? Sleep in a Mongolian yurt or an Amish farmhouse
- Sharing culinary traditions in the orchard-filled highlands of JordanSharing culinary traditions in the orchard-filled highlands of Jordan