governmentese

[ guhv-ern-muhn-teez, -tees, -er-muhn- ]

noun

1. complicated or obscurantist language thought to be characteristic of government bureaucratic statements; officialese.

Word History and Origins

Origin of governmentese¹

government + -ese

Example Sentences

It really doesn’t matter, I suppose, because ordinary people don’t pay much attention to such nonsensical governmentese.

From Los Angeles Times

To get to the bottom of this, you’ve got to wade through a lot of indecipherable gunk crafted in obscure governmentese.

From Los Angeles Times

Don’t assume everyone is familiar with esoteric acronyms and other governmentese.

From Washington Post

“It all sounds like governmentese, for no one is going to approve payment of your care ahead of time. It’s a bunch of booby traps and trap doors,” he said.

From Washington Post