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Tech Vocabulary and Acronyms Decoded

Tech is full of jargon and acronyms that can leave anyone lost. Decoding the common ones helps you follow conversations and contribute. Here's a plain-English guide.

Digby R. Kerr
By Digby R. Kerr — Wharton MBA, author of 12 books, founder of Kerr University™. 35+ years leading global business.

Common acronyms

API (how systems talk to each other), MVP (minimum viable product), CI/CD (automated build and deployment), SLA (service level agreement), PR (pull request). Knowing these lets you follow most tech discussions.

Common terms

'Cache,' 'latency,' 'scalability,' 'tech debt,' 'sprint,' 'deploy.' Understanding these — and being able to use them correctly — signals that you belong in technical conversations.

It's fine to ask

Tech has endless jargon and nobody knows it all. 'What does that acronym stand for?' is a normal, confident question. Understanding beats nodding along — and asking builds your vocabulary over time.

Frequently asked questions

What common tech acronyms should I know?

API, MVP, CI/CD, SLA, and PR come up constantly and cover most tech discussions.

What tech terms are worth knowing?

Cache, latency, scalability, tech debt, sprint, and deploy.

What if I don't know an acronym?

Ask — it's a normal, confident question, and it builds your vocabulary.

How can I build my tech English?

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