Most office workers complained that computer lingo such as java-script and jpeg was just as difficult to understand as a foreign language, according to a new survey.

A poll of 1,500 staff by recruitment firm Computer People showed that three out of four wasted more than an hour every week simply finding out what some technical term meant.

Younger workers were just as likely to make a mistake after being confused by jargon, according to the study.

Almost two thirds had sent e-mails with huge attachments which had blocked clients' systems, and one in four had to ask for technical help to download information.

Adam Fletcher, of Computer People, said: "We're finding that many clients are increasingly requiring professionals who have concise communication expertise as they recognise this improves company productivity in the long run."