Doctors are known for our use of jargon, acronyms, and myriad medical phrases that can sometimes feel like a secret code, or even a whole other language, to our patients. Even those who spend the most time with us may hear us using words or expressions that require translation into non-technical language.It has been estimated that medical students learn 9000 new words in their first year,1 and about 55 000 over the course of their medical degree.2 Some have suggested that medical students learn more new words during their time at university than language students.3After commencing our careers, many of us notice how easily medical terms slip into everyday talk (“I’ll vet that idea”). This exchange is not carelessness, but creativity. Language, like medicine, evolves for efficiency and conne

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