Heres a quick run down of phrases that I find highly irritating and yet often find myself saying:
- “Lets take this offline” - really? We’re currently online?
- “Just pop it in my diary” – umm weren’t you the one who wanted to meet with me?? I’ll pop it somewhere else thanks.
- “It’s very high brow”
- “Given this is the first cab off the rank…” – sorry I didn’t realise we worked at the Coronation Street cab company
- “How long is a piece of string?” – Well show me your piece of string and I’ll measure it. But really - I asked you a question not because I was sure of the answer – quite the opposite in fact I don’t know the answer and this ambiguous answer leads me to believe you don’t know the answer either and can’t come up with something better
- People who over punctuate emails with smiley faces or write smiley face. Not really a phrase but just as annoying as the above
- Again not a phrase but just as annoying are those who shorten words or use text speak – you’re an adult not a 12 year old sending a text message to your chavvy mates
- “Lets flesh it out”
- “Let’s tease it out” – tease what out? its not a kitten your trying to get out from behind the couch
- “I can see you’re busy but…” – if you can see I’m busy why are you bothering me???
- “Have you got a moment, this shouldn’t take long” – an hour later
Heres a great site that takes the suck out of workplace jargon.