Fast company logo
|
advertisement

NEWS

Everyone hates these 10 workplace buzzwords. Avoid them in your next email

Some of the most popular pieces of corporate jargon may also be the most annoying.

Everyone hates these 10 workplace buzzwords. Avoid them in your next email

[Source Images: Karolina Gabrowska/Pexels, Getty]

BY Elise Hannum1 minute read

It turns out that “circling back” about “company culture” to adjust to the “new normal” is just as irritating as it sounds.

According to a new survey by language-learning app Preply, some buzzwords have become just plain annoying. Business jargon is often a necessary evil, with three out of four respondents saying it can make a person sound more professional, but that doesn’t mean people love every snappy catchphrase that’s exchanged between coworkers.

Below are the top 10 most annoying business buzzwords, according to the survey, 4 of which also appear on the list of the most frequently used phrases:

  1. New normal
  2. Culture (e.g. “Company culture”)
  3. Circle back
  4. Boots on the ground
  5. Give 110%
  6. Low-hanging fruit
  7. Win-win
  8. Move the needle
  9. Growth hacking
  10. Think outside the box

The survey also pointed out red flags in job postings. Beware opportunities looking for “rock stars” who can “wear many hats” and work in a “fast-paced environment.”

advertisement

Luckily, it’s not all bad news. Useful acronyms like SMB (small and mid-size business) and B2C (business-to-consumer) tend to be less annoying, along with expressions like “at the end of the day,” “debrief,” and “table this.” If you’re a job seeker, look for postings that include words like “proactive,” “empower,” and “leverage”—while also offering “lots of perks and benefits” and “competitive salary.”

Perhaps not coincidentally, some of the least annoying phrases are also some of the least used. Even the most easy-going person can only be told how to “think outside the box” for their “growth hacking” just so many times.

Recognize your company's culture of innovation by applying to this year's Best Workplaces for Innovators Awards before the final deadline, April 5.

CoDesign Newsletter logo
The latest innovations in design brought to you every weekday.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Privacy Policy

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Elise Hannum was an editorial intern for Fast Company, covering topics ranging from Gen Z to YouTube celebrities to breaking news. You can connect with Elise on Twitter/X and LinkedIn More


Explore Topics