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By Civil Service World
02 Dec 2016
Civil Service World's regular guide to the very best in Whitehallese
Brought in to think the unthinkable, say the unsayable, become deeply frustrated and return to the private sector within six months
"Welcome views" Very much looking forward to passing your good ideas off as my own. See also: “Advice please”
Director A slightly more impressive job title than “head”, albeit one implying a level of control over events that you will never feel
Treat official Letters from Joe Public, to be kept at the bottom of the in-tray until the official concerned is really bored one afternoon
Reflected on our priorities We are performing a screeching U-turn but if we put it in paragraph six maybe nobody will work it out for a while.
To submit your own examples of Whitehallese, email editorial@civilserviceworld.com. Visit ukcivilservant.org for more of the best civil service jargon
More in the series: Terminological inexactitudes: handy translations of Whitehall jargon (Vol. I) Terminological inexactitudes: handy translations of Whitehall jargon (Vol. 2) Terminological inexactitudes: handy translations of Whitehall jargon (Vol. 3) Terminological inexactitudes: handy translations of Whitehall jargon (Vol. 4) Terminological inexactitudes: handy translations of Whitehall jargon (Vol. 5) Terminological inexactitudes: handy translations of Whitehall jargon (Vol. 6) Terminological inexactitudes: handy translations of Whitehall jargon (Vol. 7) Terminological inexactitudes: handy translations of Whitehall jargon (Vol. 8) Terminological inexactitudes: handy translations of Whitehall jargon (Vol. 9) Terminological inexactitudes: handy translations of Whitehall jargon (Vol. 10) Terminological inexactitudes: handy translations of Whitehall jargon (Vol. 11) Terminological inexactitudes: handy translations of Whitehall jargon (Vol. 12) Terminological inexactitudes: handy translations of Whitehall jargon (Vol. 13) Terminological inexactitudes: handy translations of Whitehall jargon (Vol. 14) Terminological inexactitudes: handy translations of Whitehall jargon (Vol. 15) Terminological inexactitudes: handy translations of Whitehall jargon (Vol. 16) Terminological inexactitudes: handy translations of Whitehall jargon (Vol. 17) Terminological inexactitudes: handy translations of Whitehall jargon (Vol. 18)
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