There's a prize for that gobbledygook...

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A business which uses the term "derecruiting resources" or "implementing a skills mix adjustment" instead of the plain-old "fired" may find themselves in line for a brainstrain award.

The award - which nominations close for next month - highlights businesses or individuals who have the most confusing, jargon-filled document or website.

On the flip side, businesses can also be nominated for their lack of jargon and "gobbledygook" in their communications.

WriteMark Plain English Awards founder, Lynda Harris, said an example of the jargon she has seen was various euphemisms for firing people; derecruiting resources, implementing a skills mix adjustment, and optimising outplacement potential.

She also offered an example of jargon from a job advertisement for Land Information New Zealand which described the job as: "Evaluation Services in relation to the Evaluation of the Rating Valuations Regulatory Framework."

Similarly terms and conditions found on the Air New Zealand website would fit the brainstrain category.

It starts: "Purchase of Services of the type specified in clause 2.1 below to the Account Limit may be debited to the Travelcard Account of the Account Holder. Notwithstanding clause 4 of these Terms and Conditions Air New Zealand may, in its sole discretion, review and alter the Account Limit at any time. Any such alteration will have an effective date as determined by Air New Zealand."

In 2006 the Ministry of Social Development received the brainstrain award for their student loan contract. It was rewritten following the award.

In 2008 Pacific Blue's terms and conditions won the award.

Nominations for both awards close on September 21, with winners announced on November 29.