These words all denote writing or speech that suffers from an over-use of obscure, ponderous or meaningless words, or that is worthless and empty of significance.

Gobbledygook is confused or even unintelligible speech or writing, especially when it is used to express a simple idea. "Do not become involved in a colloquy with the bench, but proceed without undue delay to discharge your obligation for violation of the ordinance in question," is gobbledygook for "Don’t argue with the magistrate – pay the fine."

Officialese is the gobbledygook found in legal, governmental, educational or other formal speech or writing. "There should be implementation to meet the unmet needs of that segment of society that is socially and economically oppressed and to provide motivation for mobility away from self-demeaning indigence and morale-destroying dependence," is officialese for "Let’s get those people off relief who are able to work." Both gobbledygook and officialese make communication difficult and dull without making it more accurate.

Gibberish emphasizes the unintelligibility of difficult or esoteric expression which may sometimes be gobbledygook or sometimes a terminology or a language with which one is unfamiliar.

• Higher mathematics is gibberish to most people; The Ainus of Japan speak a gibberish unrelated to any other language; Those who follow the share market reports communicate in a gibberish all their own.

In the context of this discussion nonsense stresses language that is absurd or that lacks meaning and common sense. Nonsense may suggest incorrect or irrelevant remarks arising from stupidity or ignorance: His comments in class are always nonsense . Or it may suggest deliberate playfulness in the use of language: Many children’s rhymes and play songs are charming nonsense .

Claptrap is a form of expression designed to attract and win popular approval by the use of cheap sensationalism or artifice. It stresses worthlessness and showiness: a piece of claptrap passing for a serious study of working-class life; an impassioned political speech full of claptrap .

Garbage , a slang term, carries stronger opprobrium than either nonsense or claptrap in that it is written or spoken language that is not only without merit but often objectionable.

• She talks a lot of sentimental garbage about her dog having a soul; Even the most intelligent child is apt to have read a certain amount of garbage before he grows up.