Decoding Office Jargon: What Buzzwords Really Mean

Every office has a manager or co-worker who constantly spews office jargon or buzzwords. Here are a few that I’ve noticed and their real meanings.

C-level conversations – I used to think this meant having a discussion that everyone would understand. Think of a guru coming down from a high mountain sanctuary and coming down to “sea level“ so that they could explain it to the layman. Nope, it means “CEO type” conversations, the kind that get you promoted real quick if you promise them things

Inside Baseball – I’ve got all the knowledge and I will use it to my advantage while sharing none of it

Team Player – Does the work of everyone else

Play Catch-up/Touching base – I want to see what you’ve been doing while I was on vacation because I didn’t have the chance to micromanage you then.

Table the Issue/Take Offline – I don’t want to discuss this now because I don’t know what I’m discussing.

The Devil’s in the Details—I know you are wrong, but I don’t know how to prove it yet.

Play Devil’s Advocate – I want to rip your idea to shreds in front of everyone.

Putting Out Fires – Fixing the mistakes of others because of their incompetence

Low-Hanging Fruit – The easiest part of the job that others volunteer for first.

Win/Win – In any outcome, I will look good and take all the credit, and you will still go unrecognized.

Brainstorming – I’m out of ideas, and I need the group to give me one to steal

Circle Back – Similar to playing catch-up. You were caught flat-footed and need to do more research because you don’t know what you are talking about

Bandwidth – You are being stretched thin because you are overwhelmed with work or simply don’t want to do any work.