Plain words

One of the games JD and I play to get through long shifts in the engine room involves translating the high-falutin' phrases some of our charges inflict on us into plain English.

Today, for example, I was presented with "higher levels of inventory".

JD being away from his desk, I tried it on our art editor, who immediately (and in my view correctly) replied "more stock". If an artist can translate waffle into English, why does it seem to be beyond some professional writers?

I fear JD is right when he warns me I'm becoming embittered!