Pentagonese

[ pen-tuh-guh-neez, -nees ]

noun

1. a style of language characterized by the use of euphemisms, technical jargon, acronyms, and circumlocutions, used especially by people working in the U.S. military establishment.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Pentagonese¹

1950–55, Americanism; Pentagon + -ese

Example Sentences

As a result, he added in typical Pentagonese, "NC3 has to inform JADC2 and JADC2 has to inform NC3."

From Salon

Mr. Kirk attributed the inaccuracies as resulting from his attempts to translate “Pentagonese” for voters or because of inattention by his campaign to the details of his decades-long military career.

From New York Times

The Special Operations Forces that Clarke has led, known as “SOF” in Pentagonese, have carried the heaviest load in America’s Middle East wars.

From Washington Post

The bomb’s formal name is Massive Ordnance Penetrator, or MOP, in Pentagonese.

From The New Yorker

As secretary, Mr. Hagel, a 66-year-old decorated Vietnam combat veteran, would face huge decisions on budget and spending priorities; he would have to enlist deputies better versed in Pentagonese.

From New York Times