Member Article

Jargon update: time to blamestorm

The overuse of office buzzwords is a regular complaint, but that hasn’t stopped a new set of probably pointless phrases entering the world of workplace jargon. Among them are ‘blamestorming’ and ‘boss-spasming’, according to recruitment firm Office Angels, which admits some of the words and phrases are baffling and complex.

For example, ‘workspace-specific perceptual abstraction’ is the latest spin on daydreaming. Blamestorming means debating with colleagues why a deadline was missed and who was to blame. Boss-spasming is used to describe the act of suddenly looking busy as a manager or supervisor enters the room. Other new phrases include ‘inter-departmental liaison facilitation’ - meaning lunch.

David Clubb, Office Angels’ executive, said: “Jargon is an inevitable part of office life and whilst it can often be regarded as baffling and frustrating, there are advantages to speaking the office lingo. These can range from bonding with a team to understanding mind-boggling conference calls. My advice is to abandon unnecessary jargon and concentrate on communicating clearly.”

To sound fluent in 2008’s office-speak, you’ll have to tell impractical colleagues they need to ‘take a bite of the reality sandwich’ or that the ‘juice ain’t worth the squeeze’ when a task is not worthwhile.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .