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Sexist language, racist language, theisticlanguage all are typical of the policing languagesof mastery, and cannot, do not, permit new knowl-edge or encourage the mutual exchange of ideas.    Toni MorrisonJAMA and the Archives Journals avoid the use of language that imparts bias against persons or groups on the basis of sex, race or ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, or sexual orientation. The careful writer avoids generalizations and stereotypes and is specific when choosing words to describe people.Sex refers to the biological characteristics of males and females. Gender includes more than sex and serves as a cultural indicator of a person’s personal ...Less

An adjective denoting an absolute or extreme state or quality does not logically admit of quantification or comparison. Thus, we do not, or should not, say deadest, more perfect, or somewhat unique. It is generally acceptable, however, to modify adjectives of this kind with adverbs such as almost, apparently, fortunately, nearly, probably, and regrettably. Listed below are words that should not be used with a comparative (more, less), superlative (most, least), or quantifying (quite, slightly, very) modifier.Note: In general, superlatives should be avoided in scientific writing. ...Less

Many words have found their way into medicalvocabularies with unusual meanings that are notrecognized even by medical dictionaries. Suchwritings may be characterized as medical jargonor medical slang. When these words appear inmedical manuscripts or in medical conversation,they are unintelligible to other scientists, particularlythose of foreign countries; they are not translatableand are the mark of the careless and unculturedperson.   Morris Fishbein, MD I have laboured to refine our language to gram-matical purity, and to clear it from colloquialbarbarisms, licentious idioms, and irregularcombinations.  Samuel Johnson (1709 1784)Words and phrases that can be understood in conversation but are vague, confusing, or depersonalizing are generally inappropriate ...Less

Usually, in reports of clinical or laboratory data, the substance per se is not reported; rather, a value is given that was obtained by measuring a substance or some function or constituent of it. For example, one does not report hemoglobin but hemoglobin level. Some other correct forms are as follows: differential white blood cell count agglutination titer prothrombin time pulse rate erythrocyte sedimentation rate total serum cholesterol value or level or concentration increase in antibody level creatinine level or clearance serum phosphorus concentration increase in bilirubin level platelet count 24-hour urine output or volume antinuclear antibody titer mean corpuscular ...Less

Race is defined as “a category of humankind that shares certain distinctive physical traits.” Ethnicity relates to “groups of people classed according to common racial, national, tribal, religious, linguistic, or cultural origin or background.”Like gender, race and ethnicity are cultural constructs, but they can have biological implications. Caution must be used when the race concept is described in health-related research. Some have argued that the race concept should be abandoned, on the basis of the scientific evidence that human races per se do not exist. Others argue for retaining the term but limiting its application to the social, as opposed ...Less

A redundancy is a term or phrase that unnecessarily repeats words or meanings. Below are some common redundancies that can usually be avoided (redundant words are italicized): ...

It’s déjà vu all over again.Yogi Berra (1925-)A redundancy is a term or phrase that unnecessarily repeats words or meanings. Below are some common redundancies that can usually be avoided (redundant words are italicized):Some words and phrases can usually be omitted without affecting meaning, and omitting them often improves the readability of a sentence:Quite, very, and rather are often overused and misused and can be deleted in many instances (see also , Correct and Preferred Usage of Common Words and Phrases).Avoid roundabout and wordy expressions:An adjective denoting an absolute or extreme state or quality does not logically admit of quantification ...Less

Sex refers to the biological characteristics of males and females. Gender includes more than sex and serves as a cultural indicator of a person’s personal and social identity. An important consideration when referring to sex is the level of specificity required: specify sex when it is relevant. Choose sex-neutral terms that avoid bias, suit the material under discussion, and do not intrude on the reader’s attention. See also , Age and Sex Referents.Note: Use man or men when referring to a specific man or group of men, woman or women when referring to a specific woman or a group of ...Less

Sexual orientation should be indicated in a manuscript only when scientifically relevant. The term sexual preference should be avoided because it implies a voluntary choice of sexual orientation not supported by the scientific literature. In some contexts, reference to specific sexual behaviors (eg, men who have sex with men) may be more relevant than sexual orientation.The nouns lesbians and gay men are preferred to the broader term homosexuals when referring to specific groups of women and men, respectively. Avoid using gay or gays as a noun. Heterosexual and homosexual may be used as adjectives (eg, heterosexual men).A member of a ...Less