"Asbo", "spin", "GM food", and "Not in my back yard" are some of the words and phrases explained in a new dictionary of words used when describing Irish society to be published today.
The National Adult Literacy Agency (Nala) publication, A Plain English Guide to Citizenship Terms, has been produced as part of National Adult Literacy Awareness Week, which begins today.
It is particularly aimed at those working in Government, political organisations and the voluntary sector.
Speaking to ireland.com, NALA spokesman Tommy Byrne said the guide was conceived to help people who were dealing with the public on issues of citizenship, such as politics, community activism and voluntary work.
"It's about reducing the exclusion that printed material can have on people being active citizens. The amount of jargon used when discussing these issues is amazing and, if people can't understand this, they're excluded," he said.
"Political parties produce manifestos and if somebody has a low level of literacy they won't be able to understand.
"When there's a referendum, people with low levels of literacy can be left out because they're often unable to understand Referendum Commission papers."
The National Adult Literacy Awareness Week will feature a half-day conference illustrating the connection between literacy and the contribution of people to society, and the publication of a guide to the EU for adult learners.
It is estimated that there are over 500,000 Irish adults with literacy difficulties.