Every now and then, I get a bit lazy and recycle older posts. I hope you enjoy this trip down memory lane.
In December, Toni Bowers of TechRepublic re-published this CareerBuilder list of the expressions you love to hate . Her comment? “I cannot believe anyone with half a brain and/or an ounce of self-respect would continue to use these terms.”
Ah, c’mon, Toni. Haven’t we all caught ourselves using a cringe-worth expression? I know I do. And without a touch of irony.
Drumroll, please. Here’s the list.
- Outside the box (31%)
- Low-hanging fruit (24%)
- Synergy (23%)
- Loop me in (22%)
- Best of breed (19%)
- Incentivize (19%)
- Mission-critical (19 %)
- Bring to the table (18%)
- Value-add (17%)
- Elevator pitch (16%)
- Actionable items (15%)
- Proactive (15%)
- Circle back (13%)
- Bandwidth (13%)
- High level (10%)
- Learnings (9%)
- Next steps (6%)
Argh. I think my positively least favorite is “learnings,” or “key learnings.” Since when, folks, has “learning” needed to acquire an “s” on the end? (“Circle back” is a close second, followed by “language” used as a verb.)
Let’s have an inpromptu “detest fest.” Tell me your favorite un-favorites, and I’ll share them with the world.
