Stop saying "just" (2019)
Software engineers and writers are rethinking the casual use of words like “just,” “simply,” and “basically,” arguing that these terms often trivialize complex work and alienate less-experienced audiences. Many describe how “can’t you just…” signals missing context, underestimates effort, or masks design trade-offs, and some go as far as using autocorrect or team in-jokes to stamp the habit out. Others defend the word as a concise way to indicate a simpler alternative, suggesting the real issue is tone, audience awareness, and how assumptions are communicated.
Perceived Problems with “Just”
- Many see “just” as minimizing complexity and effort, especially in engineering: “just add a DNS record,” “it’s just a one-line change,” “just call the API.”
- It’s linked to underestimating work and missing hidden context or dependencies; several note that whenever they hear “can’t you just…”, the real answer is usually “no.”
- In documentation, tutorials, and teaching, “just” and “simply” can make learners feel stupid when something isn’t easy for them.
- Related words (“simply,” “basically,” “only,” “obviously,” “should”) are criticized for similar reasons.
Arguments for Using “Just”
- Some defend the word as a precise qualifier: it signals that a suggested solution is intended as simpler/cheaper than another, or that one reason is more important than others.
- Others argue that banning a common word is nitpicky; the real issue is snarky or oblivious intent, not vocabulary.
- In questions (“can we just do X?”), “just” can mark that the speaker expects to be corrected and wants to understand why something isn’t simple.
- Some teams intentionally retain “just” as an in-joke or as a tool to surface assumptions and get them challenged.
Workplace Communication and Dynamics
- Several report frustration when non-technical stakeholders “just” away difficult work; a suggested tactic is to convert “just” requests into explicit change orders with time/cost.
- There are anecdotes of “just” being treated as a “swear jar” word in teams to highlight hidden complexity.
- One comment notes that femme-presenting people who stop softening language with “just” risk being labeled “aggressive.”
Language, Politeness, and Culture
- Some see adapting language (dropping “just,” avoiding certain terms, changing defaults like “master”) as easy courtesy that improves communication.
- Others worry about “newspeak”-style erosion of language and resist avoiding words solely because some people infer bad intent.
- Several participants conclude that awareness is the key: understand how “just” lands with different audiences and use or avoid it deliberately rather than by habit.
Broader “If Everyone Would Just…” Tangents
- A related critique targets phrases like “if everyone would just…,” arguing they ignore real-world incentives and obstacles.
- Counterpoints note that norms such as tooth-brushing and hand-washing did become widespread, suggesting “everyone” can change over time, though not effortlessly.