This site requires JavaScript for certain functions and interactions to work. Please turn on JavaScript for the best possible experience.
Register forour newsletter
Follow us:
By Civil Service World
16 Jun 2017
Civil Service World's regular guide to the very best in Whitehallese
Forgot to do a minister’s case or “treat official”? Quick! Draft a letter explaining how complex the issue is and that you’re consulting colleagues. Gives you another month not to do it in. Happy To Discuss There’s a whole lot more here than meets the eye and that I haven’t told you. Should ring alarm bells. Fairer Lesser. As in a “fairer” pension scheme. We are where we are You’ve completely messed this up and I’m furious with you. But we have to keep working together so let’s draw a veil over it and move on. But I won’t forget it. And I’ll get my revenge. Purdah A state of grace in the run up to an election. Any amount of laziness, delay or cock-up can be excused by saying “it’s all rather tricky during purdah”.
To submit your own examples of Whitehallese, email editorial@civilserviceworld.com. Visit civilservant.org.uk 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) Terminological inexactitudes: handy translations of Whitehall jargon (Vol. 19) Terminological inexactitudes: handy translations of Whitehall jargon (Vol. 20) Terminological inexactitudes: handy translations of Whitehall jargon (Vol. 21) Terminological inexactitudes: handy translations of Whitehall jargon (Sir Martin Donnelly special edition) Terminological inexactitudes: handy translations of Whitehall jargon (snap election special edition) Terminological inexactitudes: handy translations of Whitehall jargon (Vol. 22)
Read the most recent articles written by Civil Service World - 'What keeps you awake at night?': A guide to the government risk management profession
Categories