Saturday, December 22

The secrets behind medical slang - Telegraph

Rather than hiding behind scientific jargon, young doctors have developed their own dictionary of secret terms for patients and colleagues, often taken from popular TV shows and films.

A Hasselhoff, for example, is a patient who gives doctors in accident and emergency a bizarre explanation for their injury.

It was coined after former Baywatch actor David Hasselhoff said last year that he had hit his head on a chandelier while shaving.

The broken glass severed four tendons as well as an artery in his right arm, which required immediate surgery.

A disco biscuit is the not-so medical name for an ecstasy tablet, while a Father Jack, taken from the name of the drunken old priest in the sitcom Father Ted, is a confused and elderly patient who constantly shouts and tries to get out of bed.

The secrets behind medical slang - Telegraph

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