Golden Bull Award
Encyclopedia
The Golden Bull Award is an award that is given annually by the Plain English Campaign
to an organisation who has made what is deemed by the campaign to be a confusing and bad use of English (see gobbledygook
).
for a 229 word definition of a bed, and in 1981 winners were sent a parcel of tripe
through the mail.
2004
2007
2008
Plain English Campaign
The Plain English Campaign is a commercial editing and training firm based in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1979 by Chrissie Maher, the company positions itself as a leader in plain-language advocacy, working to persuade organisations in the UK and abroad to communicate with the public in plain...
to an organisation who has made what is deemed by the campaign to be a confusing and bad use of English (see gobbledygook
Gobbledygook
Gobbledygook or gobbledegook is any text containing jargon or especially convoluted English that results in it being excessively hard to understand or even incomprehensible...
).
Past "Winners"
Started in 1980, this award has been famously (or infamously) given to the NHSNational Health Service (England)
The National Health Service or NHS is the publicly funded healthcare system in England. It is both the largest and oldest single-payer healthcare system in the world. It is able to function in the way that it does because it is primarily funded through the general taxation system, similar to how...
for a 229 word definition of a bed, and in 1981 winners were sent a parcel of tripe
Tripe
Tripe is a type of edible offal from the stomachs of various farm animals.-Beef tripe:...
through the mail.
2004
- Bank of ScotlandBank of ScotlandThe Bank of Scotland plc is a commercial and clearing bank based in Edinburgh, Scotland. With a history dating to the 17th century, it is the second oldest surviving bank in what is now the United Kingdom, and is the only commercial institution created by the Parliament of Scotland to...
, British AirwaysBritish AirwaysBritish Airways is the flag carrier airline of the United Kingdom, based in Waterside, near its main hub at London Heathrow Airport. British Airways is the largest airline in the UK based on fleet size, international flights and international destinations...
, Department of HealthDepartment of Health (United Kingdom)The Department of Health is a department of the United Kingdom government with responsibility for government policy for health and social care matters and for the National Health Service in England along with a few elements of the same matters which are not otherwise devolved to the Scottish,...
, European CommissionEuropean CommissionThe European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. The body is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union's treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union....
, The GENIUS Project (based at the University of ReadingUniversity of ReadingThe University of Reading is a university in the English town of Reading, Berkshire. The University was established in 1892 as University College, Reading and received its Royal Charter in 1926. It is based on several campuses in, and around, the town of Reading.The University has a long tradition...
), Panorama SoftwarePanorama SoftwarePanorama Software is a Canadian software and consulting company specializing in business intelligence. The company was founded by Rony Ross in Israel in 1993; it relocated its worldwide headquarters to Toronto, Canada in 2003....
, Trilogy Telecom, TriMedia
2007
- Virgin TrainsVirgin TrainsVirgin Trains is a train operating company in the United Kingdom. It operates long-distance passenger services on the West Coast Main Line between London, the West Midlands, North West England, North Wales and Scotland...
for a letter about problems booking online - UKTVUKTVUKTV is a digital cable and satellite television network, formed through a joint venture between BBC Worldwide, a commercial subsidiary of the British Broadcasting Corporation, and Scripps Networks Interactive, spun off from The E.W Scripps Company in 2008...
for a press release - BAA for a sign at Gatwick Airport
- Fastway CouriersFastway CouriersFastway Couriers is a courier franchise business operating in New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Germany, Ireland, Northern Ireland and the...
for terms and conditions - NestleNestléNestlé S.A. is the world's largest food and nutrition company. Founded and headquartered in Vevey, Switzerland, Nestlé originated in a 1905 merger of the Anglo-Swiss Milk Company, established in 1867 by brothers George Page and Charles Page, and Farine Lactée Henri Nestlé, founded in 1866 by Henri...
for a 'Project News Report' - TranslinkTranslink (Northern Ireland)Translink is the brand name of the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company , a public corporation in Northern Ireland which provides the public transport in the region. NI Railways, Ulsterbus and Metro are all part of Translink....
for a sign at Coleraine railway stationColeraine railway stationColeraine railway station serves the town of Coleraine in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It shares facilities with the town's Ulsterbus bus depot.The station opened on 4 December 1855 and was closed for goods traffic on 4 January 1965... - Warwickshire Children, Young People and Families Division for meeting minutes
2008
- Scottish Life
- Met OfficeMet OfficeThe Met Office , is the United Kingdom's national weather service, and a trading fund of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills...
website - HM Revenue and Customs
- The Co-operative ecotown website
- VCA Midlands Centre
- DC Site Services website
- Balfour BeattyBalfour BeattyBalfour Beatty plc is a British construction, engineering, military housing, rail and investment services company. It is one of the largest construction companies in the UK, and the 15th largest in the world...