Why office jargon is alienating your colleagues (and making you the butt of jokes)

Career

Workplace jargon – those overused buzzwords that make us sound busy and professional – might be doing more harm than good.

Phrases like circle back, bandwidth, and low-hanging fruit have become so common that they’re not just annoying, they’re alienating your colleagues. In fact, these phrases are often the punchline on subreddits like LinkedIn Lunatics, where professionals poke fun at how out of touch they can sound.

Julian Goldie, SEO expert and founder of Goldie Agency, has spent years helping businesses communicate effectively through clear, direct language. Here’s his advice on office jargon.

Why office jargon is a problem

Believe it or not, Forbes published an article all the way back in 2012 about the most annoying, pretentious, and useless business jargon. Yet here we are in 2024, dealing with the same issues. 

The article identified terms like synergy and move the needle as jargon offenders over a decade ago, but the reality is, the problem never really goes away. The buzzwords change year by year, but the effect is the same – overused jargon that makes communication frustrating.

Six office buzzwords we need to retire

Certain buzzwords have become so overused that they’re practically meaningless. Here are some of the worst offenders that leave your colleagues rolling their eyes:

  1. Drill down – Just say look deeper or analyse.
  2. Run it up the flagpole – Simply say get approval or check with the boss.
  3. Paradigm shift – How about big change or new approach?
  4. Synergize – A simple work together or collaborate does the job.
  5. In the weeds – Replace with too detailed or getting off track.
  6. Circle the wagons – Instead, say come together or protect our interests.

Why we need to ditch the office jargon

Jargon tends to exclude people rather than bring them together. When you replace buzzwords with direct, simple language, you make it easier for everyone to understand what’s needed. That leads to better collaboration and fewer misunderstandings.

Goldie offers three simple tips to say goodbye to jargon in the workplace:

  1. Keep it real: Instead of circle back, just say let’s discuss this later. Straightforward and to the point.
  2. Use common sense language: Replace phrases like low-hanging fruit with easy tasks or quick wins that everyone gets.
  3. Be direct: Avoid vague phrases like take this offline. If you mean let’s chat about this after the meeting, say exactly that.

Why clear communication is better

Aside from not alienating your team, dropping the jargon means clearer, more effective communication. Instead of colleagues rolling their eyes or feeling disconnected, everyone can get on the same page faster. 

Plus, without the fluff, people can focus on what actually matters: getting the job done. Clear language also boosts productivity because no one’s left trying to decode what moving the needle really means.

Workplace jargon isn’t a passing trend – it’s a persistent, frustrating part of working in a corporate role that continues to alienate colleagues and cloud communication, despite efforts to address it. 

While Forbes identified the problem back in 2012, the cycle continues, with new buzzwords taking centre stage each year. The key to breaking this cycle is moving away from jargon and embracing straightforward, clear language. 

Clear communication is the foundation of productive teamwork and mutual understanding, and that’s where true success lies.

Julian Goldie, the owner of Goldie Agency, has over six years of experience in SEO. He has a YouTube channel with over 75,000 subscribers and has taught over 60,000 students on Udemy. He leads a team of more than 70 people and is the author of the best-selling book ‘Link Building Mastery’.