Buzz off: Survey reveals most annoying 'Business English' words, phrases

Let’s touch base, hit the ground running and then, after we’ve worked hard and played hard, circle back on a topic that requires a lot of culture, team building and synergy: jargon and buzzwords in the workplace.

Sick of hearing terms such as “rock star,” “ninja,” “game changer” and “think outside the box” around the office? You’re in good company.

Preply Inc., a company that specializes in online English classes, surveyed more than 1,500 U.S. workers across all 50 states to gauge their feelings about what Preply calls “Business English.” It found that 20% of respondents can’t stand business buzzwords and that “new normal” was the most hated term, followed closely by “culture” and “circle back.”

The most heard and used phrases, according to Preply, are “win-win,” “culture” and “ASAP"; however, there’s a good chance that survey respondents aren’t "on the same page," because while 34% accused colleagues of using buzzwords the most, only 5% say they use such terms the most. Thirty-one percent say upper management uses jargon the most, followed by bosses at 24%.  

Preply’s survey also asked respondents to identify buzzwords that they would consider “red flags” in a job posting. Topping that list was “rock star,” which 53% of respondents consider a no-no. In second place, with a 50% “red flag” rating, was “wear many hats,” perhaps, Preply’s Matt Zajechowski writes in an article about the survey, “because it can indicate a lack of specialized training and staff that is too small for the workload required.” Forty-eight percent of respondents say that “thick skin,” when used in a job ad, would give them pause, because it’s an indication of a toxic work environment.

On the other hand, “proactive,” “empower” and “leverage” were the top three terms least likely to be viewed as red flags in a job posting. Similarly, the least annoying business buzzwords were “at the end of the day,” “debrief” and “sweep the floors” — whatever that means. Maybe someone can ideate the meaning for us here at Coffee Talk?  

“To some, business English is a way to connect with others and improve communication,” Zajechowski writes. “To others, it’s a necessary evil. Either way, it pays to learn how to use it. You may have to grit your teeth and think outside the box to acclimate yourself to the company culture, but ultimately it can help you network and do your job effectively, furthering your career in the process.”