Definitions of the Most Confusing and Hated Office Jargon in the World
If you work in an office in New Jersey, you hear all types of verbiage that is pretty much exclusively used in offices. I’m talking about phrases like “circle back,” “out of the loop,” “touch base,” and “wrangle the chimichangas.” You’ve probably never heard of that last one, neither have I because I made it up. However, there are many actual office sayings that are equally confusing and difficult to define.
According to a recent survey by Duolingo of over 8,000 working professionals in 8 countries, 58% of respondents believe their colleagues overuse jargon. And nearly half of those surveyed would love to eliminate it all from their lives forever. Amazingly, a huge percentage, 60% of workers find themselves having to waste time deciphering jargon solo, leading to stress and sluggish productivity.
Whether you love them or hate them, office jargon doesn’t seem to be going away, but here’s a look at the most confusing terms across the globe according to the survey.
These have been determined as the most confusing in the United States…
1. Boiling the ocean – An impossible task
2. Herding cats – Trying to organize a group of disorderly people
3. Ducks in a row – Getting things organized properly
4. Move the needle – Progressing forward with a task
5. Run it up the flagpole – Check to see if it works or people like it
United Kingdom
1. Blue sky thinking – Brainstorming as if there are no limits
2. COP/EOP/EOD – Close of play/End of play/End of day
3. Low-hanging fruit – Easy to get
4. Move the needle- Progressing forward with a task
5. Ducks in a row – Organized
Australia
1. Boiling the ocean – An impossible task
2. Noodling – Casual thinking
3. Low-hanging fruit – Easy to get
4. Juice worth the squeeze – Worth the effort
5. Wheelhouse – Within your expertise
India
1. Keep me in the loop – Keep me informed or updated
2. Take offline – Discuss privately or secretly
3.Win-win situation – Good outcome for all
4. Core competency – Skills that define
5. Value-add – Difference between cost and price
Check out the full list of words and countries on Duolingo.
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