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The concept lingua franca tends to be used imprecisely. Reference to English as a lingua franca obscures the functions performed through English in business, technology, academia, school education, etc. It tends to disconnect the language from the causes behind its expansion, and from the role that English has played in eliminating languages (a lingua frankensteinia) and consolidating American imperial power worldwide. Examples are given of the misuse of the concept in an Argentine policy text, in a book on the European Union (EU), and in a study published by the EU. The historical origins of the concept are summarised. The use of terms that derive from Latin makes it more difficult for Asians to understand the connotations of English as a lingua cultura (US cultural norms), lingua bellica (wars, military activity), etc. There is a common core in the semantics, grammar and phonology of Anglo-American English which is in force worldwide, even if there is great variation in how English is spoken, though much less in the written language. When English functions as a lingua academica, it is false to consider that it is neutral, since it based not on a restricted language – the original meaning of the term lingua franca – but on the language, culture and world view of countries where native speakers of English live. This means that speakers of other languages such as Korean are at a distinct , structural disadvantage, for instance when publishing in scientific journals. The currently fashionable research into English as a Lingua Franca is of no help in addressing such issues. We need to ensure that the expansion of English does not occur at the expense of other languages and their speakers, which is a serious risk in the contemporary world.