Dec 27 2007
The Cynic’s Guide to Government Language (in Intelligence)
I'm a former assistant editor with advice about how to write novels, comic books and graphic novels. Most of my content applies to fiction-writing in general, but I also provide articles specifically about superhero stories.
From the Cynic’s Guide to CIA Language:
“High confidence.” Translation: “We may actually know this, but we’ve spent too much to reveal our methods.”
“Moderate to high confidence.” Translation: “Your guess is as good as ours.”
“Moderate confidence.” Translation: “We have absolutely no idea.”
BMac adds:
“Similar to the assessments of French and German intelligence services.” Translation: “intelligence failure”
“Top secret.” Translation: Likely to make it to noon without being published in the New York Times.
“CIA Secret Agent.” Translation: “Vanity Fair covergirl.”
