Euphemisms Muddle Intelligence Policy

Avoiding the words 'intelligence' and 'IQ' has spawned fuzzy substitutes like 'reasoning,' 'college readiness,' and 'health literacy' that hide the same construct. This obscures evidence, blocks useful cross‑domain insights (e.g., in public health), and weakens public explanations for tools like the SAT. Calling intelligence what it is would improve measurement, messaging, and policy design. — A clearer, shared vocabulary around intelligence could sharpen education and health decisions and reduce culture‑war confusion over testing and outcomes.