Civil Service World

By Civil Service World

19 Aug 2016

Civil Service World's regular guide to the very best in Whitehallese



 


Minded To Think About
A civil service classic. Doesn't mean anything – but sounds like it might. 

This has resource implications
We’d have to spend some money, so it’s best you know now that this scheme won’t happen 

Spin
We don’t do this. It’s totally against all the principles the civil service holds dear  

Special Advisers
A similar concept to “Special Schools”. Would be responsible for “Spin”, if it ever took place 

Review
This policy is going wrong but we can’t admit it. Let’s get an outsider to kill it for us instead 

We spoke.
Always followed by a full stop. Lets other people know that we have spoken and have a plan, but not what that plan is 

To submit your own examples of Whitehallese, email editorial@civilserviceworld.com or tweet us @CSWNews. Visit ukcivilservant.org for more of the best civil service jargon

 

          ​More in the series:

Terminological inexactitudes: handy translations of Whitehall jargon (Vol. I)
Terminological inexactitudes: handy translations of Whitehall jargon (Vol. 2)
Terminological inexactitudes: handy translations of Whitehall jargon (Vol. 3)
Terminological inexactitudes: handy translations of Whitehall jargon (Vol. 4)
Terminological inexactitudes: handy translations of Whitehall jargon (Vol. 5)
Terminological inexactitudes: handy translations of Whitehall jargon (Vol. 6)
Terminological inexactitudes: handy translations of Whitehall jargon (Vol. 7)
Terminological inexactitudes: handy translations of Whitehall jargon (Vol. 8)
Terminological inexactitudes: handy translations of Whitehall jargon (Vol. 9)
Terminological inexactitudes: handy translations of Whitehall jargon (Vol. 10)
Terminological inexactitudes: handy translations of Whitehall jargon (Vol. 11)
Terminological inexactitudes: handy translations of Whitehall jargon (Vol. 12)
Terminological inexactitudes: handy translations of Whitehall jargon (Vol. 13)
Terminological inexactitudes: handy translations of Whitehall jargon (Vol. 14)​
Terminological inexactitudes: handy translations of Whitehall jargon (Vol. 15)
 

Related
Latest civil service & public affairs moves – December 23
23 Dec HR
Latest civil service & public affairs moves – December 23
by Dods People

Read the most recent articles written by Civil Service World - Latest civil service & public affairs moves – October 14

Categories

Culture Government Tax Profession HR
Share this page
Read next
Sue Gray to get life peerage
20 Dec HR
Sue Gray to get life peerage
Starmer acknowledges skills challenges facing civil service
20 Dec HR
Starmer acknowledges skills challenges facing civil service
Making an impact: DCMS perm sec Susannah Storey looks back on year full of highlights
20 Dec Culture
Making an impact: DCMS perm sec Susannah Storey looks back on year full of highlights
Partner content
Beyond the bots: How AI can help civil servants do more meaningful work Partner Content
Beyond the bots: How AI can help civil servants do more meaningful work
10 Dec by Indeed
AI and the future of learning and development in the public sector Partner Content
AI and the future of learning and development in the public sector
21 Nov by QA
Building an inclusive workplace: How Philip Morris is embedding DEI for lasting impact Partner Content
Building an inclusive workplace: How Philip Morris is embedding DEI for lasting impact
18 Nov by Philip Morris International
Championing inclusivity: Make your meetings more insightful Partner Content
Championing inclusivity: Make your meetings more insightful
04 Nov by AtkinsRéalis
Matt Bazeley: 'We must work smarter on workplace well-being' Partner Content
Matt Bazeley: "We must work smarter on workplace well-being"
15 Apr by Civil Service Sports Council
Rethinking public policy: How universities can help policymakers keep up with the times Partner Content
Rethinking public policy: How universities can help policymakers keep up with the times
15 May 2023 by University of Bath