# Plain English.

> Markdown copy of [/brand/plain-english](/brand/plain-english).

One hundred AI and technology phrases translated into words a person would use. Replace avoidable jargon. Define a technical term once when the distinction matters.

71 terms are marked **replace**. 29 are marked **define once**.

## AI

| term | say instead | rule |
|---|---|---|
| agentic | able to choose and carry out steps | replace |
| autonomous agent | AI assistant that acts without asking at each step | define once |
| chain of thought | step-by-step reasoning | define once |
| context engineering | deciding what information the AI receives | replace |
| context window | how much information the AI can consider at once | define once |
| embedding | numbers that represent meaning for similarity search | define once |
| eval | test | define once |
| fine-tuning | extra training for a specific job | define once |
| foundation model | general-purpose AI model | define once |
| function calling | structured request to run software | define once |
| generative AI | AI that creates text, images, audio, or code | define once |
| ground truth | confirmed answer | define once |
| guardrail | rule or check that prevents a named mistake | replace |
| hallucination | made-up answer | replace |
| human in the loop | person reviews before action | define once |
| inference | running the model to produce an answer | define once |
| large language model | AI model that generates text | define once |
| LLM | AI model that generates text | define once |
| MCP | standard way an AI assistant connects to tools and data | define once |
| model-as-judge | AI used to score another AI | define once |
| multimodal | works with text, images, audio, or video | define once |
| orchestration | coordinating steps and tools | replace |
| prompt engineering | writing and testing instructions | define once |
| RAG | look up sources before answering | define once |
| reasoning model | model designed to spend more time solving a problem | define once |
| retrieval-augmented generation | look up sources before answering | define once |
| synthetic data | computer-made training or test examples | define once |
| system prompt | standing instructions for the AI | define once |
| token | piece of text the model reads | define once |
| tool calling | asking software to perform an action | define once |
| vector database | search store organized by similarity | define once |
| vision model | AI that can interpret images | define once |
| zero-shot | asked without an example | define once |
| few-shot | shown a few examples first | define once |

## Building

| term | say instead | rule |
|---|---|---|
| release gate | final check before publishing | replace |
| pipeline | sequence of processing steps | replace |
| workflow | sequence of work steps | replace |
| harness | test runner | replace |
| scaffolding | temporary support code | replace |
| architecture | how the parts fit together | replace |
| infrastructure | underlying systems | replace |
| stack | tools and services used | replace |
| framework | named method or software library | replace |
| observability | logs, measurements, and traces | replace |
| telemetry | recorded system measurements | replace |
| provenance | where the evidence came from | replace |
| single source of truth | official record | replace |
| feedback loop | results used to improve the next run | replace |
| production-ready | tested for the stated real-world conditions | replace |
| enterprise-grade | meets the named business requirements | replace |
| scalable | handles the stated load | replace |
| at scale | for the stated number of users or requests | replace |
| optimized | improved by a measured amount | replace |
| robust | works under the named failures | replace |
| seamless | say what is actually easy or automatic | replace |
| end-to-end | from the named start to the named finish | replace |
| best-in-class | best by the named measure | replace |

## Business

| term | say instead | rule |
|---|---|---|
| leverage | use | replace |
| utilize | use | replace |
| facilitate | help | replace |
| enable | let | replace |
| empower | let | replace |
| unlock | allow | replace |
| delve | examine | replace |
| deep dive | detailed review | replace |
| landscape | field | replace |
| ecosystem | connected products and people | replace |
| solution | name the product or service | replace |
| use case | job | replace |
| pain point | problem | replace |
| value proposition | reason to choose it | replace |
| north star | main goal | replace |
| flywheel | self-reinforcing cycle | replace |
| moat | hard-to-copy advantage | replace |
| capability uplift | measured improvement | replace |
| paradigm shift | name what changed | replace |
| cutting-edge | new as of a stated date | replace |
| game-changing | changed a named result by a stated amount | replace |
| transformative | changed a named process or result | replace |
| revolutionary | new and measurably different | replace |
| pivotal | important because… | replace |
| journey | process, change, or trip | replace |
| tapestry | collection | replace |
| testament | evidence | replace |
| furthermore | also | replace |
| it's worth noting | state the point | replace |
| in conclusion | state the conclusion | replace |
| thought leadership | informed point of view | replace |
| move the needle | improve the named result | replace |
| low-hanging fruit | easiest useful change | replace |
| operationalize | put into routine use | replace |

## Our shorthand

| term | say instead | rule |
|---|---|---|
| truth contract | rules for honest reporting | replace |
| evidence spine | way to organize proof | replace |
| narrative contract | fixed story order | replace |
| source state | whether a source is complete, partial, or unknown | replace |
| reading geometry | page layout | replace |
| evidence choreography | order in which proof appears | replace |
| distance-safe type | text large enough for the room | replace |
| machine-readable twin | matching Markdown copy | replace |
| agent front door | starting page for AI assistants | replace |