English

Noun

technobabble ‎(uncountable)

1. Technical or scientific language used in fiction to convey a false impression of meaningful technical or scientific content.
2. From the point of view of the layperson, technical and scientific literature not understood.

Quotations

• 1997 — Lawrence Miles, Alien Bodies, ch. 4, p. 84

  'Dimensional incursion? What kind of ludicrous technobabble is that supposed to—'
  Unexpectedly, he fell silent.

• 1998 — Peter Anghelides, Kursaal, ch. 1, p. 6

  'We are self-sufficient...We don't rely on clear skies and satellite access and not being deep underground, because of your wonderful technobabble devices.'

• 2006 — Michael Pritchard (comp.), Doctor Who Magazine, 376:45 (Nov)

  "And despite all the weird events the dialogue is naturalistic and light on technobabble", says Peter. "Such a relief after recent stories."

Translations

See also

• jargon