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By Civil Service World
28 Apr 2017
Civil Service World's regular guide to the very best in Whitehallese
If I May...
Let me dig you out of this hole, you blithering idiot
An interesting choice of phrase
Thank God you’re a politician and not a diplomat
Perhaps I might have a word first
For goodness’ sake, don’t go jumping in feet first, you fool
That’s an interesting thought...
I knew you would get it eventually
Temporary permanent secretary
A contradiction in terms, and a job title that could only be found in the civil service
DISCLAIMER: The translations above represent the views of international trade secretary Liam Fox and his team. Like a true professional, Sir Martin Donnelly has never said whether he agrees or disagrees with these interpretations.
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)
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