MEMORANDUM
FROM RT
HON DAVID
BLUNKETT MP
RE: INQUIRY
INTO OFFICIAL
LANGUAGE
Thanks for the circular in relation to the "language"
used by the Civil Service.
We're looking out some classic letters—although
we will obviously have to eliminate names of both the constituent
and also the Minister (in order to avoid complete embarrassment).
There is of course, some entertaining language
which you'll have come across. The Civil Service always use the
term "delighted" for just about anything that Ministers
are asked to do—which completely takes away any meaning
for the word at all! I used to eliminate it from all my letters
and reports.
They also have wonderful phrases like "stand
ready" which actually means we're doing nothing about this
unless we're absolutely forced to do so!
April 2009
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