Turgid and Obscure Language, from Roger Bolas

Turgid and obscure language impinges on the realm of medical ethics, apparently:

“Turgid and Obscure Language,” Roger Bolas, Journal of Medical Ethics, vol. 2, 1976, p 151. The author writes:

SIR,

My reactions on reading ‘obverted contrapositive’ and ‘presuppositionless characterization’ (page 103, volume 2, number 2), were to sigh deeply and to reach for the dictionary…. Many readers of your journal read selectively, browsing from time to time among the less familiar articles. Is there not a danger of them becoming discouraged if faced with turgid and obscure language? Dialogue between professional people can also be meaningful if we employ simple English.

ROGER BOLAS

Newcastle upon Tyne