journalese

[ jur-nl-eez, -ees ]

noun

1. a manner of writing or speaking characterized by clichés, occasional neologism, archness, sensationalizing adjectives, unusual or faulty syntax, etc., used by some journalists, especially certain columnists, and regarded as typical journalistic style.
2. writing or expression in this manner:

   Get that journalese out of your copy!

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characterized by this manner (often used predicatively):

   That word's not English, it's journalese.

journalese

/ ˌdʒɜːnəˈliːz /

noun

1. derogatory.
   a superficial cliché-ridden style of writing regarded as typical of newspapers

Word History and Origins

Origin of journalese¹

First recorded in 1880–85; journal + -ese

Example Sentences

The strong light at the back of the house—a wobbly one—was rapidly becoming a glow in the heavens, as they say in journalese.

From Project Gutenberg

In Journalese, to perform upon a musical instrument; as, "He presided at the piccolo."

From Project Gutenberg

Distinct from journalese, the two yet overlap, "and have a knack of assimilating each other's vices."

From Project Gutenberg

In this empire of journalese a man finds it so very easy to say the wrong thing that he never thinks of saying anything else.

From Project Gutenberg

The writing of good, plain English, rather than "smart" journalese should be the aim.

From Project Gutenberg