Monday, August 21, 2006
The Tedium of Office-Speak: Good Words Gone Bad
Many corporate-types think hiding behind a bunch of over-used words and phrases makes them sound intelligent. They should reconsider; they are only embarrassing themselves. And these words.
I propose the following words be banned from offices everywhere:
Utilize – Because no word has ever been more over-utilized. It’s also a bit pretentious.
Offline – As in, “Let’s take this offline.” Usually this is said in a meeting, meaning, let’s have a private conversation later. But you’re not online. So you can’t go offline. See?
Verbiage – This, like utilize, is used by pretentious people to mean “copy.” Just say copy. “I need some copy for the paragraph about doo-dangers.”
*This will be an ongoing column, because there is a glut of worthy words being abused in today’s offices. And someone has to stand up for them. Someone has to Hump them!
I propose the following words be banned from offices everywhere:
Utilize – Because no word has ever been more over-utilized. It’s also a bit pretentious.
Offline – As in, “Let’s take this offline.” Usually this is said in a meeting, meaning, let’s have a private conversation later. But you’re not online. So you can’t go offline. See?
Verbiage – This, like utilize, is used by pretentious people to mean “copy.” Just say copy. “I need some copy for the paragraph about doo-dangers.”
*This will be an ongoing column, because there is a glut of worthy words being abused in today’s offices. And someone has to stand up for them. Someone has to Hump them!
Labels: Guest Hump
:: posted by Caroline Hickey, 10:18 AM
1 Comments:
Dear Merkin,
You must be a hairy, wiry little fellow. Someone in your office doesn't like you, because he/she just called you a pubic hair wig.
Congrats!
Caroline
You must be a hairy, wiry little fellow. Someone in your office doesn't like you, because he/she just called you a pubic hair wig.
Congrats!
Caroline
