• Events
  • Marketplace
  • Resources
  • Press Releases
  • Business Directory
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact
The FUTURE OF WORK® since 2003
Allwork.Space
Subscribe
  • All Topics
    • Business
    • Biophilic Design
    • Career Growth
    • Coliving
    • Collaboration
    • Coworking
    • CRE
    • DE&I
    • Digital Nomads
    • Future of Work
    • Home Office
    • Human Resources (HR)
    • Hybrid Work
    • Investment
    • Leadership
    • Marketing
    • Mental Health
    • Mergers & Acquisitions
    • Office Furniture
    • Productivity
    • PropTech
    • Remote Work
    • Self-care
    • SMBs
    • Social Impact
    • Space-as-a-Service
    • Technology
    • Virtual Office
    • Work-life Balance
    • Workforce
    • Workplace Design
    • Workplace Wellness
  • News
  • Business
  • Leadership
  • Work-life
  • Career Growth
  • Tech
  • Design
  • Workforce
  • Coworking
  • Marketing
  • CRE
  • Podcast
  • More
    • Advertise With Us
    • Marketplace
    • Events
  • All Topics
    • Business
    • Biophilic Design
    • Career Growth
    • Coliving
    • Collaboration
    • Coworking
    • CRE
    • DE&I
    • Digital Nomads
    • Future of Work
    • Home Office
    • Human Resources (HR)
    • Hybrid Work
    • Investment
    • Leadership
    • Marketing
    • Mental Health
    • Mergers & Acquisitions
    • Office Furniture
    • Productivity
    • PropTech
    • Remote Work
    • Self-care
    • SMBs
    • Social Impact
    • Space-as-a-Service
    • Technology
    • Virtual Office
    • Work-life Balance
    • Workforce
    • Workplace Design
    • Workplace Wellness
  • News
  • Business
  • Leadership
  • Work-life
  • Career Growth
  • Tech
  • Design
  • Workforce
  • Coworking
  • Marketing
  • CRE
  • Podcast
  • More
    • Advertise With Us
    • Marketplace
    • Events
No Result
View All Result
Allwork.Space
Home Workforce

From “Rockstar” to “Let’s Circle Back”: Cringe Office Terms To Avoid

While jargon can serve as a convenient shortcut, its overuse can hinder clear communication and create a barrier between individuals.

Emma AscottbyEmma Ascott
November 15, 2023
in Workforce
Reading Time: 3 mins read
A A
From "Rockstar" to "Let's Circle Back": Cringe Office Terms To Avoid

It's important to use workplace jargon wisely and in appropriate situations to project expertise and credibility without sacrificing clarity.

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare to Network
Switch Now to OfficeRnD Flex and Keep 2023 Pricing
  • When jargon is used appropriately, it can enhance communication and credibility. But when misused or misunderstood, it can have the opposite effect.
  • A recent poll of 1,551 people revealed that despite one in five people disliking business buzzwords, they still use them for the sake of professional appearances. 
  • Among the findings, “win-win” ranked as the top buzzword, while “new normal” was deemed the most hated.

No matter how fluent you may be in the language, navigating the English-speaking business world can be like traversing a linguistic labyrinth. Buzzwords and jargon lurk around every corner, ready to trip up even the most eloquent non-native speakers (and sometimes, even the natives themselves).

These phrases, known as corporate speak, may seem like simple business terminology, but they hold a hidden double meaning that can make or break a professional interaction. When used appropriately, they can enhance communication and credibility. But when misused or misunderstood, they can have the opposite effect.

Papaya Global - Payroll Platform

For those new to the corporate world, the thought of mastering yet another layer of language can be daunting. But in order to project professionalism and effectively communicate with colleagues, clients, and suppliers around the globe, understanding and utilizing these expressions is crucial.

A recent poll of 1,551 individuals revealed that despite one in five people disliking business buzzwords, they still use them for the sake of professional appearances. Among the findings, “win-win” ranked as the top buzzword, while “new normal” was deemed the most hated.

The term “new normal” has been dubbed as irksome by 43% of individuals, likely due to its correlation with the pandemic. Similarly, the word “culture” raised the same level of annoyance. It seems that not all corporate values are a cause for celebration — just like the overused phrase “circle back” (cue collective eye-roll). Another phrase that sparked distaste among 42% of respondents was “boots on the ground,” a phrase borrowed from the military that hinted at a looming and unpleasant battle.

As for the phrase “give 110%,” it was deemed exasperating by 41% of those surveyed. 

Interestingly, the use of jargon in job descriptions can greatly influence an individual’s decision to apply for a role. One in five respondents viewed it as a red flag, signaling a potentially toxic work environment.

Here are 10 popular examples of business jargon, according to Preply. 

  1. Close/end of play
  2. On the same page
  3. ASAP
  4. Low-hanging fruit
  5. Ducks in a row
  6. Outside the box 
  7. Heads up
  8. Circle back
  9. Back burner
  10. Rain-check

Business jargon to avoid:

“Rockstar” might sound cool, but when 53% of job applicants see this as a red flag, it might be a term to avoid. The term might bring to mind a high-demand role that requires superhuman effort. 

Looking for a candidate who can “wear many hats” went down badly with half of respondents, perhaps because it suggests an unclear role, or too small a team to meet the demands of the job. Just behind that was “thick skin” (48%).

“Work hard, play hard,” is another troublesome phrasing — with 47% of survey participants saying it was a warning sign. 

Another 44% were unhappy with “Schedule TBD” — understandably, as most candidates want to know their hours and the level of commitment required. 

Where did this jargon come from?

But where did these buzzwords originate? Many have been borrowed from the sports and technology industries, while others are simply abbreviations or acronyms for commonly used phrases. For example, “touch base” comes from baseball, while “bandwidth” was originally used to describe internet capacity but now refers to an individual’s available time or attention span.

While jargon can serve as a convenient shortcut, its overuse can hinder clear communication and create a barrier between individuals. As a result, it’s important to use it wisely and in appropriate situations to project expertise and credibility without sacrificing clarity. So next time you hear someone say “let’s take a rain-check,” remember to decode the underlying meaning and keep your business English on point.

  Your go-to resource on the Future of Work®  Get the emerging trends, top stories, and latest news on the world of work straight into your inbox each weekday morning.   
Tags: BusinessLeadershipWorkforce
Emma Ascott

Emma Ascott

Emma Ascott is a contributing writer for Allwork.Space based in Phoenix, Arizona. She graduated from Walter Cronkite at Arizona State University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication in 2021. Emma has written about a multitude of topics, such as the future of work, politics, social justice, money, tech, government meetings, breaking news and healthcare.

No Result
View All Result
Yardi Kube IT Management
Later - Turn followers into customers
1Password - Start Today
FlexJobs logo

Latest News

Japan's Young Workforce Confronts Mental Health Crisis

Japan’s Young Workforce Confronts Mental Health Crisis

December 4, 2023
South Africa's 4-Day Work Week Pilot: A Trailblazing Success for Work-Life Balance

South Africa’s 4-Day Work Week Pilot: A Trailblazing Success for Work-Life Balance

December 4, 2023
Companies Ignoring Climate Promises, May Face Hiring Reckoning

Companies Ignoring Climate Promises, May Face Hiring Reckoning

December 4, 2023
The AI Dilemma: Productivity Gains, Perception Pains, and the Path Forward

 The AI Dilemma: Productivity Gains, Perception Pains, and the Path Forward

December 1, 2023
New Survey Confirms 2023 Was Chaos, Reveals Top Workforce Trends Of The Year

New Survey Confirms 2023 Was Chaos, Reveals Top Workforce Trends Of The Year

December 1, 2023
2023 Flexible Office Heatmap Reveals Top 10 Markets

2023 Flexible Office Heatmap Reveals Top 10 Markets

December 1, 2023

News and Features

Business

Tech

Marketing

Design

Work-life

CRE

Coworking

Workforce

Daily Digest

Podcast

Resources

Marketplace

Events

Press Releases

FlexSpace, Coworking
and Office Space

Los Angeles

New York

Chicago

Washington, D.C.

Houston

Dallas

Miami

San Francisco

Atlanta

Philadelphia

Seattle

Austin

Company

About Us

Submit to Allwork.Space

Contact

Advertise

FlexSpace

Terms Of Use

FlexSpace FAQs

Privacy Policy

Connect with Allwork.Space

Twitter

Linkedin

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Google Podcasts

©2023 Allwork.Space  l  Exploring the FUTURE OF WORK® since 2003.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Topics
    • Business
    • Leadership
    • Work-life
    • Workforce
    • Career Growth
    • Design
    • Tech
    • Coworking
    • Marketing
    • CRE
  • Experts
    • Podcast
    • Opinions
  • Resources
    • Research + Reports
    • Marketplace
    • Find Office Space
    • Find Remote Jobs
    • Press
  • Events
  • About Us
    • Advertise
    • Submit to Allwork.Space
    • Contact
Subscribe

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
-
00:00
00:00

Queue

Update Required Flash plugin
-
00:00
00:00