This may be a parochial thing, and different words and phrases may well irritate in different parts of the world, but here in the UK these are the ones that set my hackles rising:

"24/7"
Hate it, but business execs think they have to use it!
"Absolutely"
Used a lot by TV and radio reporters in answer to a question from the studio.
"Empowerment"
Idiot business speak for responsibility.
"Pushing the envelope"
Which durr brain came up with this little gem?
"Thinking outside the box"
Ditto

The business world of course is stuffed full with annoying, and mostly useless, terms, and business bingo is probably still played by bored employees at meetings and presentations ( "the big picture", "go the extra mile" "ball park" etc ).

Where do these terms originate? I have a feeling our American cousins may have to own up to one or two. I'm not sure though if these things are business led or media driven, but once they seep into conversations/presentations/meetings they seem immovable.

There, that's better. Just thought I'd run it up the flag pole and see who salutes! Doh!

Don't forget "Synergy"

Thanks Rob
"the action of 2 or more agents (e.g., drugs) working together to produce an effect greater than the combined effect of the same agents used separately"

A scientific term reduced to overused business jargon.

And how could I miss out the classic:
"What can you bring to the party?"
Sausages on sticks? Paper plates? Jelly?

"I have a feeling our American cousins may have to own up to one or two."

Owning Up To The Facts:
There is an office in New York City (sort of the Tannens of jargon) that comes up with all this cuteness...it is then sold to those who do Seminars. Once disseminated in a Seminar by a 'Guru' it becomes Lexicon. Once the Lexicon becomes old and worn out in the business world, it is then picked up by ridiculous politicians who then pass it on to the media who are on the same low wrung of originality.

Thus the most STUPID of all is STILL in wide use...

"...at this point in time."

What the hell OTHER point is there?????????

Unfortunately along the road the truely useful terms are thrown out and forgotten...like a beautifully constructed retort to a 'polictically correct' assumption that is being pushed on you by some neophyte socialist leaning twenty something who probably drives a small red Honda and coffees at Starbucks in the Evening...

When is the last time you said...

"So What, Get Lost!!"




:) Doug


BTW: I'd like to thank my Brit Cousins (actually Ancestors) for coming up with the language in the first place! It sure is a fun one! I'm glad we didn't adopt...say Bulgarian...much too serious. German much too silly sounding and French...well...somewhat pretentious and with those sounds not naturally made by the human vocal chords...no English and all it's faults has been a fun ride! Thanks!
Iconoclastically yours...the American Cousin.

My least favorite phrase is "free gift". What other type of gift is there?

I have to agree on "Thinking outside of the box". That has got to be one of the worst phrases ever uttered. Has it ever occured to these coporate shills that it is completely impossible to think either outside or inside of a box because there never was a box to begin with?! Why are there only two types of thinking to these people? And why do they assume that if you are not thinking like them then you must be thinking in some sort of confined, cubicle space?

First, some additional phrases not mentioned.

"First and foremost..."
"...if you will..." (no I won't)
"world class"
"customer service"
"paradigm shift"
"I could care less" (then, why don't you?)
"friggen" (we all know what they REALLY mean)
and vulgarities of any kind.

These and the phrases used above, used to have powerful meaning and real strength. However, over the years the words have been past on to people who have no idea what their true meaning is and they are delivered incorrectly, without knowledge, and without sincerety and as a result, they become cheap and cliche.

This can be stopped. A very interesting article was published about this very subject in 1946, written by the famous BRITISH author, George Orwell. Apparently it became a problem in Britain before here.

George Orwell: Politics and the English Language

"Woulda, Shoulda, Coulda"
"That's phat g money" (well any ebonics or rap talking.)

With all due respect to the people that say it, would have to be "In My Honest Opinion". I know it's used a lot around here, or the more popular "IMHO". If you are sharing your true feelings then it's honest!!!
I wonder if some people throw that in to let you know that their other opinions were not so honest.
How's about "In My Opinion"? Unless you are a liar it seems as though this would suffice. Then again, I could be wron.......never mind!

Steven, what's wrong with Paradigm Shift? It's one of my favorite effects!

;)



IMHO stands for "In My Humble Opinion".

Paradigms = twenty cents

Well, "at the end of the day" I guess I'd go for . . .

Doug, my American cousin, whatever you're on, I'll have some. I suppose it had to be marketing guru's who initiated so much of this.

And yes, I think the English should be proud of their language. It's a shame it's being diluted and corrupted by modern speak, and it's not just business and politics. It's the yoof of today, Man. It's where it's at, on the streets.

Words get abbreviated, because it's obviously too much effort to say them in full, and in an age of texting it's getting worse. I well remember an email from a college graduate, inquiring about job opportunities, that was written almost entirely in text shorthand, and here was a lad trying to impress.

I've wandered a bit off track here because there is a difference between annoying phrases and language evolving, even if we hate the evolution. It's still a shame when such a rich and diverse language gets reduced to an almost incomprehensible shorthand.

Back to annoying, and I'll finish with 'So'. And here, Doug, we'll venture across the Atlantic once more to all those high school teen TV shows and films that seem to be in vogue at present, and the use of the word So as emphasis.
"You are so dead!"
and even on negative emphasis
"You are so not going to the prom"
It's like SO IRRITATING!

PS I too get a bit weary of the use of "IMHO" and also the well worn "that's my two cents worth" but can you enlighten me as to "Lol", another well used abbreviation in the Café. I know I'll have to shoot myself when you tell me.

"Interfacing" (when referring to people talking) I thought interfacing is what computers did.

"Utilize" Try "Use;" three letters, meaning the exact same thing.

"Guess what." (when describing an outcome) Don't make me guess, just tell me.

"Y'know...?"; "Know what I mean?" and; "Know what I'm saying?" Not a clue; you haven't said anything substantial yet.

"Let's do lunch." Ewwww!!! DO lunch?!? I prefer to eat lunch, thank you very much.

Steve

I always liked "maybecouldbeperhaps" from "Enemy Mine" by Barry B. Longyear.

IMHO is NOT "In My HONEST Opinion" it IS "In my HUMBLE Opinion" and is a nicer way to make a strong statement which allows the other guy to get his in with out yours being written in stone.

IMHO is just being polite and friendly and trying not to sound like an opinionated ahole. IMHO that is.

Doc:

LOL is "Laffing Out loud" ie: "Funny stuff you just wrote!"

ROTFLMAO is Rolling on the floor laffing my ass off"
ie: "Your killin' me!"

Doc: Try this one on and you will agree! SIROIHG

Doug

"ya'nowhatImean" I will kill people who say this [in my mind anyway] they just get an angry stare on the surface.

OK
I confess.
I made them all up.
I wanted people to think I was clever.
I wanted people to like me.

"Sue me."

That's one that irks me.

Patrick

In a related story, business and marketing executives have begun to respond to increasing annoyance with buzzwords by inventing a new term for a phrase or concept every time they refer to it. Unfortunately, since no term is ever used more than once, nobody has any idea what they are talking about!

Know what words really bug me? Everyone uses them far too much—"The", "it", and "and". Whoops, even I can't stop using them!

Doug
I'm not sure about IMHO. I agree with what it means, but why include it. It's almost like you're apologising for having an opinion. Everyone is entitled to have their say, as long as it doesn't breach Café rules, so why is one person's view less valid than another. No, if you're going to say something just say it and be glad to contribute. Don't dilute it with "IMO", or "IMHO" or "My two bob's worth".

SIROIHG? Mmmmm.

Laughing out loud! I should have guessed.
Bang!