3.6.2. Usage Labels

When you create a terminology record or update a terminology file, you must ensure that the synonyms that designate a concept reflect actual usage.

For example:

• The term may be the scientific or technical designation or it may be technical jargon.
• It may be used correctly or incorrectly, internationally, commonly, officially, or in a limited geographical area.
• A neologism may be accepted or criticized.
• A term may be rare, obsolete, deprecated, standardized or officially approved.

You as a terminologist help users select proper terms by:

• qualifying synonyms with appropriate usage labels.
• explaining usage in observations or demonstrating usage through usage samples.
• supporting these findings with references to sources of information.