When you’re framing a message for a media interview, you want to sound smart and in the know.

But do you want to sound like a cliche in the making?

Probably not. That’s why it’s wise to avoid buzzwords, even those swarming around your profession. As reported in May in the Wall St. Journal, people use buzzwords not to show what they know, but to signal to others already in their circle that they’re hip to what’s new.

Not sure if a term you are thinking of using is a buzzword or a universally understood term? Use the grandma filter: Would your grandma know what you are talking about? If not, dejargonize your message with plain, simple language that everyone can understand — even those in your clique.