Why I Check Every Word I Don't Understand

I have been trying to study the subject of marketing, and not having any success.

Then I realised I did not actually know what the word "marketing" meant.

Here is what it means: the organisation of the sale of a product. For example, deciding on its price, the areas it should be supplied to, and how it should be advertised.

Now I have cleared that up, I can learn about it, and it makes sense!

Every job has its own words

As a bookkeeper, and I am sure in every other profession, you will inevitably run into words you do not understand.

Every industry has its own vocabulary, also called nomenclature.

I see accounts, bills and invoices from lots of different industries, and I come across lots of nomenclatures that are totally unfamiliar to me. To do my job, I need to know what those words mean. Otherwise all that paperwork is just gobbledygook. I cannot make sense of it unless I understand what is written on those papers.

What I do about it

I keep a dictionary handy. These days it is easy to google the word.

When you do, check ALL the definitions, including the derivations (where the word comes from). That gives you a good understanding of the word.

I do not think you can really do your job unless you understand the words being used.

I am sure this is widespread in all industries. Just think of training someone on the job. How can a person learn a job if he or she does not understand the words used to describe it?

One might think the person does not understand the concept, the idea, the industry or the job. But often what he does not understand is the words being used to describe it.

When you disagree with someone

Even within one industry, people may have different ideas of what a word means. So when they communicate, each has a different idea of what they are talking about.

If you ever have a disagreement with someone, check with that person what exactly they were talking about, or meant. You will be surprised.

The words that trip me up

The words that trip me up most are the ones I think I know but have the wrong definition for. Because I think I know it, I do not look it up. Then I get a wrong picture of what something means.

So give it a try. Look up the word you were sure you knew.

As always, keep it simple and... Flourish and Prosper

Lisa