There has been a huge amount of debate, discussion (and occasional vitriol) about transmission routes for respiratory pathogens, especially SARS-CoV-2. One of the sticking points has been different perspectives on the terminology used. I was privileged to join a working group convened by WHO to propose some new terminology to underpin this discussion. The proposed new terminology has been published recently, and I’d thought I’d share some reflections! Whilst I don’t think this will turn our IPC practice upside down, it is a step towards a more informed approach to preventing the spread of respiratory pathogens.