This is a bit of an addendum, I suppose, to my earlier post about why the heck we call it "lean manufacturing".

Another issue I've always had is why so many foreign words are used to describe methods, tools, and concepts that have direct and clear English names. The best example (and the one that gets most under my skin) is muda, which, we all know means "waste".  Now, why on earth would we say "muda" when we mean "waste"? Do we believe people will understand the concept of muda where the idea of waste will confuse them? Do we think that the term "muda" is easiere to remember? 

The same is true for a word like poka-yoke; it's assumed, I guess, that we'd never remember or understand the term "error proofing".  And kaizen blitz?  Please.  How about "action workshop"?  I don't even like kanban...what the heck is a kanban?  Again, how about "pull system" and "pull card"?

I object to these words because they make a simple and straightforward initiative seem mysterious and complex.  They are more about empowering folks who teach and consult lean (We know and understand what these terms mean and you don't) than they are about empowering managers and workers. 

So here's the Rick Bohan Glossary of Agile Manufacturing:

• Agile rather than lean
• Waste rather than muda
• Action workshop rather than kaizen blitz or kaizen
• Pull system rather than kanban
• Pull cards rather than kanban cards

Any other candidates?