Tell me more ×
English Language & Usage Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for linguists, etymologists, and serious English language enthusiasts. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 3 down vote favorite

Is the word "Lingo" appropriate in a formal context?

It sounds much more professional to me than "jargon", but I still have it in the back of my mind that it is slang.

Is there a synonym that would be better?

share|improve this question
1  
3  
So dig this drag man, I was hangin with my buds rappin about stuff when this chick comes in with a Pleural Effusion. We considered a thoracostomy but this was contraindicated by bleeding diatheses. Bummer :/ – horatio Jun 3 '11 at 15:27

5 Answers

up vote 2 down vote

(a) Lingo is pretty dated (80s wealthy would-be hipsters, and people who pine for the British Empire being the only ones I have heard using it).

(b) It's kind of racist (it's dismissive of the manner of speech it is applied to), and it doesn't just mean "jargon", it means any manner of speech, including foreign language or other dialect one wishes to dismiss.

(c) There is absolutely no way it is more professional than "jargon" (which is a perfectly normal word).

The real question is why you think there might be a problem with using the word "jargon".

share|improve this answer
3  
I had the very same thought. The word "jargon" is an acceptable and commonly understood word. "Lingo" seems a lot more informal to me, certainly less professional, and less widely understood. *I don't know why "lingo" would be considered racist. It is dismissive of manner of speech applied to, but that can refer to technology speak. Being dismissive of overly techy communication style doesn't have anything to do with racism. But that is a minor side issue. The rest of this answer by @Marcin is how I would respond to the question too. – Feral Oink Jun 4 '11 at 8:03
It's racist because it's dismissively applied to foreign languages, especially those of less wealthy countries, and countries colonised. – Marcin Jun 4 '11 at 8:12
1  
Marcin Yes! You are correct! I forgot about that. It is even used to describe Gaelic by James Bond in Ian Fleming novels. And certainly was used by colonial powers to describe the languages of vassal nations. Thank you for the reminder. – Feral Oink Jun 4 '11 at 8:42
up vote 1 down vote

The NOAD reports lingo is informal, and it gives the following meaning for the word:

a foreign language or local dialect
  • the vocabulary or jargon of a particular subject or group of people

Probably it's informal when used for a foreign language or local dialect.

share|improve this answer
up vote 0 down vote

It sounds informal but isn't, according to Merriam-Webster. I suppose it depends on whether your readers think it's slang, if that matters to you.

share|improve this answer
2  
I'm UK, and to me lingo is definitely slang/informal. But I can't say whether that's a US/UK difference, or just me. – FumbleFingers Jun 3 '11 at 15:26
1  
@FumbleFingers, 'lingo' is informal but 'jargon' is slightly perjorative – mgb Jun 3 '11 at 15:35
@Martin: Just so. To really zero in on an answer here, it would help to know the field in question. "Insider's speech" can be called various things, but some are profession-specific. A lawyer might use a "term of art," but it's hard to imagine a plumber doing the same. No offense to the pipe-fitting set. – The Raven Jun 3 '11 at 16:02
@Martin Beckett: I certainly agree jargon is invariably at least somewhat perjorative. To my ear, lingo has slightly positive associations, but doubtless there will be others who disagree. – FumbleFingers Jun 3 '11 at 16:05
I don't think jargon is pejorative - there is no other word for the phenomenon of specific technical language. – Marcin Jun 4 '11 at 9:57
show 2 more comments
up vote 0 down vote

It is informal:

Wiktionary gives:

Language, especially language peculiar to a particular group or region; jargon or a dialect.

And the World English Dictionary extends:

informal: any foreign or unfamiliar language, jargon, etc

Etymonline explains its origin:

1650s, possibly a corrupt form of lingua franca (q.v.), or from Prov. lingo

So, although it is in commmon use, probably not appropriate for a formal setting.

share|improve this answer
What is the World English Dictionary? This is the first I've heard of it. – mmyers Jun 4 '11 at 6:18
It's... a dictionary? :-) – Thursagen Jun 4 '11 at 6:21
OHHHHH, ok, got it. Next question: Why have I never heard of it? Have I been under a rock? – mmyers Jun 4 '11 at 6:31
No idea. That question depends on what search engine you have, actually. – Thursagen Jun 4 '11 at 6:34
up vote -1 down vote

"Dialects" would be better. Or you could use "colloquial," depending on the sentence.

share|improve this answer
1  
Dialect has a specific meaning that doesn't fit at all well with lingo, sorry. – user1579 Jun 3 '11 at 15:53
@Rhodri yeah, probably you're right. Thanks for correcting – Ankit Jun 3 '11 at 16:55

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.