J
Jacuzzi
The registered name of a brand of whirlpool prducts. Use whirlpool bath.
jail, jailer
Not gaol, gaoler. In the United States, a jail is where a prisoner is held while serving a sentence for a misdemeanour, punishable by a sentence of a year or less, or while awaiting trial or sentencing. Prison is where a person convicted of a felony, a more serious crime punishable by more than a year's detention, serves a sentence.
Japanese legal system
Libel and slander laws in Japan are vague. Police confirmation of criminal investigations is rare, except for leaks to an exclusive police agency press club from which foreign media are excluded. Reuters pickups of Japanese media reports would probably not be actionable in Japan but they could be the subject of action in other countries with stricter rules if the plaintiff had a reputation that could be damaged abroad. Suspects in Japan can be held for as long as 48 hours before a formal arrest warrant is issued.
The suspect can then be held for a further 72 hours until a prosecutor decides whether there is enough evidence to lay charges. It can then take up to 20 more days before an indictment is obtained.
jargon
Jargon is specialised language unfamiliar to the average reader, e.g. remuneration, de-escalation, methodology, going forward, thought leadership, downside risks. If you have to convert into better English a word such as confrontation, use the most conservative of its various meanings.
Beware the language used by financial professionals.
Political and military jargon is riddled with euphemisms to conceal meaning. Unless you are directly quoting someone, turn jargon into clear English. Journalism jargon -- newsflow, obits, stringers, paras, rejigs -- should not appear in our stories. Words like obituary should be written in full
Jeddah
Not Jedda or Jiddah, Saudi Arabia.
jeep, Jeep
Lower case for a military vehicle. Upper case for the brand of civilian vehicle.
Jerusalem
Israelis and Arabs dispute the status of the city. Israel regards Jerusalem as its "eternal and indivisible" capital but that is not recognised internationally. Palestinians want to have the capital of an eventual Palestinian state there. Do not use it as a synonym for Israel, as in the Jerusalem government.
Jesus Christ
Be careful using Christ because it is a theological term for Messiah, a title non-Christians would not give him. The combination Jesus Christ is so well know that in most general stories, we can use it on first reference and Jesus after that. Christ on second reference should be limited to strictly Christian theological contexts (see Christ). Using Jesus Christ would not be appropriate in a story about Jewish views of Jesus. In a story about Muslims discussing him, use Jesus Christ only if they do. In no case should we refer to him only as Christ on second reference in general stories or in headlines.
jets
Most modern airliners and military aircraft have jet engines. Do not use such terms as jet airliner or jetliner unless the fact that the aircraft is jet-powered is relevant. It would be more helpful to specify if an airliner or military aircraft is propeller driven.
Jew
Use for both men and women.
jibe
A gibe is a taunt or sneer, to gybe is to swing a sail over or alter course, but in American style a gibe is a taunt or sneer, a jibe is to swing a sail over or alter course, or to be in accord or agree with.
jihad
An Islamic holy war or struggle. It can also refer to individual’s moral struggle. Use with extreme care.
Jihadi, jihadist
Do not use, except in quotes. Has become a loaded term.
Jittery
Use anxious or nervous or frightened.
jodhpurs
Not jodpurs.
John F. Kennedy Space Center
Florida, USA. Kennedy Space Center is an acceptable contraction. Mission control is usually at the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, and Johnson Space Center is the acceptable contraction.
join together
Just join will do.
Journalese
Trite expressions to avoid:
Thumbs up
Green light
Gravy train
Salami tactics
The bottom line
Crisis
Ground-breaking
Guesstimate
Key
Landmark
Last-ditch
Magic bullet
Major, unless contrasted with something minor
Marathon (talks)
Massive
Meaningful
Oil-rich
Policy wonk
Perceptions
Prestigious
Significant
strongman
judgment, not judgement.
judo, ju-jitsu
judo is a modern form of ju-jitsu, Japanese wrestling.
jumbo jet
Loosely a large, wide-bodied airliner, specifically the Boeing 747.
junkie
Do not use for narcotics addict, unless in quotes.
junta
A political clique or a government formed by such a clique, usually after a revolution or coup.
jury
Singular. The jury has reached its decision.
just deserts
What you deserve, not desserts which you have for pudding.
justify
To defend. The prime minister tried to justify the decision, not the prime minister justified the decision.
Category: The Reuters General Style Guide
This page was last modified 13:01, 22 July 2009.