Software Document Bad Words List, original adapted from Dan Stearns

• and/or, etc., misc.

  It is always possible to re-write the sentence to remove these vague terms.

• basically

  A common speech filler; in a document, it is of the same genre as generally and is basically unclear.

• compatible

  These are hundreds of different opinions on this word. Say what you mean. (e.g. The computer must be able to run Doom.)

• easy, easier, easiest, easily, simply, hard, harder, hardest

  These are impossible to test. State some specific number to write a clear sentence.

• efficient, more efficient, less efficient

  Unless you are discussing furnaces, this word is vague. Say what you mean.

• flexible, flexibility

  Unless you are discussing gymnastics, this word is vague. Say what you mean.

• like

  A bad word when used in speaking, like, you know, during a two minute talk. If you use this word, you will like get an F on your two minute talk.

• maximize, minimize, optimize

  Say clearly what parameters you are trying to maximize. (e.g. performance is more important than space; the designer should always sacrifice space for performance)

• module, modular, modularity

  These terms have a wide variety of definitions, probably more than compatible. Module is acceptable if the context defines the word (e.g. a programming language module)

• quickly, more quickly, less quickly, fast, faster

  Same problem as easy.

• return key

  Try and find it. There is no easy solution to this dilemma since keyboards vary.

• user friendly

  Who are you kidding?

• usually, generally, should, probably

  These are all of the same, unclear, genre. Write what you mean. A document reader hates these words.

• very

  If emphasis is needed, use a precise word.