Enter the SheSpeaks Useless Jargon Giveaway

   By SheSpeaksTeam  Jan 14, 2015
341

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

 

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KathrynFranklin2 by KathrynFranklin2 | Roseville, CA
Jan 16, 2015

I had to laugh because I'd never even heard of some of these. I guess they have been successfully taken out of the lexicon! How about "be authentic" - that one gets me every time (as if the person speaking has the monopoly on defining what is and isn't authentic.

Jackie9641 by Jackie9641 | GRAYSLAKE, IL
Jan 15, 2015

Perfect storm -- and still: At the end of the day...

FLAHONEY33 by FLAHONEY33 | PORT ST LUCIE, FL
Jan 15, 2015

Pet Parent

StephanieRobertson91 by StephanieRobertson91 | Rigby, ID
Jan 15, 2015

Intellectually bankrupt

animalgal by animalgal | kenosha, WI
Jan 15, 2015

staycation! I hate that word!!!

cheryllo by cheryllo | Unsubscribe, FL
Jan 15, 2015

Bottom line. I have to admit I catch myself saying it and I cringe every time because I hate hearing it !

ironram1 by ironram1 | Taylors, SC
Jan 15, 2015

I hate "YOLO"!

SueG907 by SueG907 | Diamond Bar, CA
Jan 15, 2015

I hate Cra-Cra, but I'm not sure it's a business term. "At the end of the day" is the worst phrase ever invented for business.

seaburd by seaburd | BROOMFIELD, CO
Jan 15, 2015

My plate is full seems to be used alot

pinkpanther by pinkpanther | Tampa, FL
Jan 15, 2015

Shade or reading someone

HPan210 by HPan210 | GRAND RAPIDS, MI
Jan 15, 2015

Junk Science- what exactly does this mean? Is there really any junk science, I think any science is good science as it allows us to learn.

QUERIDA by QUERIDA | OCALA, FL
Jan 15, 2015

I would say Bae!! - come on they can say babe all the way or baby what is it that they can't say to whole or correct word.!

RUDY46N2 by RUDY46N2 | STOUGHTON, WI
Jan 15, 2015

Aha moment! Hate it!

froggidie by froggidie | Taylor, PA
Jan 15, 2015

YOLO

LT11SS by LT11SS | Tarzana, CA
Jan 15, 2015

"It is what it is", said by people who don't ant to deal with it!