Technobabble

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Technobabble is jargon that uses terms from mathematics, science, or engineering incorrectly, in order to create a sense of technical solidity around a field or concept. Where real terms are used, it is similar to equivocation.

Fiction abounds with such terms, often created for semi-humorous purposes, such as Back To The Future's "flux capacitor" (Star Trek writers are particularly notorious for this).

When used in non-fiction settings, technobabble falls under the rubric "if you can't blind them with brilliance, baffle them with bullshit". It is very popular with quack doctors and New Agers, who have come up with "treatments" like "DNA Upgrades" and "tachyon-infused water". Many such quacks, most notably Deepak Chopra and Gary Zukav, are notorious for abusing the word "quantum", playing on quantum mechanics' reputation for being difficult to understand to avoid having to give an explanation for their snake oil.

Conspiracy theorists tend to technobabble themselves, coming up with spurious and unlikely evil functionalities for technology they and their fans do not understand.

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