Ever get tired of being asked to “give 110%” of yourself? As if you could self-clone on the spot, or instantaneously multiply, in order to ‘better- support’ team needs?
How do you feel when advised not to “open the kimono” (this can sometimes happen when the 'idea hamsters' on the 'bleeding-edge' that you work with - haven't finished their testing yet). If your answer is "ready to take action" - then you may want to enter our Useless Jargon Giveaway where you might be randomly chosen to win a $50 Visa Gift Card* for submitting a workplace catchphrase that you think should be removed from the vocabulary.
Here’s the situation: Since 1976, Michigan’s Lake Superior State University has been doing great work polling and raising awareness about words that ought to be outright banned from everyday language use. Prior winners include:
Teachable moment | Intellectually bankrupt | Boneless wings |
Amazing | Win the future | Thank you in advance |
Refudiate | A-ha moment | Man up |
Game changer | Perfect Storm | Shovel-ready |
Staycation | Man cave | Under the bus |
Awesome | Talking Points | Friend-raising |
Junk Science | It is what it is | Pwn |
Curate | Cra-Cra | Hacks |
and even though you may still be receiving emails every day that use the word "amazing" three or more times to describe things that, well, aren't - it's reassuring to know that there are entities out there keeping track of this stuff.
But what about the parade of meaningless business expressions that are impossible for the average al desko luncher to avoid hearing in the workplace? Terms like core competencies, buy-in, empowerment, taking it to the next level and learnings (that most cringeworthy of the verbs-turned-noun, do you agree?) can now be submitted for inclusion in our directory of the most cloying words in memospeak!
TO ENTER, simply tell us in the comments below - which business jargon word or phrase you’d like to never hear again, and you’ll be automatically entered to win a $50 Visa Gift Card!
Good luck everybody! Oh, and we promise, if you win we will not be 'reaching-out' to you. Instead, we will contact you via email. ;)
*Open now through January 27, 2015 to US residents 18 years or older.
Congratulations to Lucky Winner! tsmith4
TYIA - meaning thank you in advance! :)
think outside the box
Cray Cray
This is very interesting. I remember having a very serious conversation with some people out on the west coast, and their response was "that's rad." I didn't really feel this was appropriate. (Everyone can guess how that conversation probably turned out.) Another internet trend that slightly grids my gears is everything has to have a "hashtag".
Totes adorbs!
" "Use best practices" Think outside the box"
Blindbox
"we can discuss this offline" - when said during an in person meeting!
Um I'm tired of the "a-ha moment" love you oprah but that's just cray cray
When someone says, "Really," is it serious or is it meant to be sarcastic, I mean really! LOL
Cra-Cra
"make it lean" was a phrase I dreaded hearing
Frienemy
HUMP DAY
Foodie Its like really? If you like food your human.