Friday, February 18, 2005

Plain English Campaign

It's the Golden Bull Awards, given for the year's worst examples of gobbledygook. My favorite was the British Airways terms and conditions entry:
CHARGES FOR CHANGES AND CANCELLATIONS

NOTE – CANCELLATIONS – BEFORE DEPARTURE FARE IS REFUNDABLE. IF COMBINING A NON-REFUNDABLE FARE WITH A REFUNDABLE FARE ONLY THE Y/C/J-CLASS HALF RETURN AMOUNT CAN BE REFUNDED. AFTER DEPARTURE FARE IS REFUNDABLE. IF COMBINING A NON-REFUNDABLE FARE WITH A REFUNDABLE FARE REFUND THE DIFFERENCE /IF ANY/BETWEEN THE FARE PAID AND THE APPLICABLE NORMAL BA ONEWAY FARE.

CHANGES/UPGRADES- PERMITTED ANYTIME.