In research conducted by Accountemps, 150 senior executives from the nation’s 1000 largest companies were asked, “What is the most annoying or overused phrase or buzzword in the workplace today?” Their responses included the following:

• Leverage
• Reach out
• It is what it is
• Viral
• Game changer
• Disconnect
• Value-add
• Circle back
• Socialize
• Interface
• Cutting edge

While these words are annoying, I’m surprised that none of them seem new – the research could easily have been done in 1999 as in 2009. I expected more words that reflected the global downturn such as staycation and bailout or words related to environmental issues such as green or carbon footprint. In performance management lingo, these are definitely trending up.

In fact, if we’re going for the classics, I think I prefer the list compiled by Oxford researchers which appeared in Damp Squid: The English Language Laid Bare by Jeremy Butterfield. Their top ten was:

• At the end of the day
• Fairly unique
• I personally
• At this moment in time
• With all due respect
• Absolutely
• It’s a nightmare
• Shouldn’t of
• 24/7
• It’s not rocket science

However, even this list doesn’t include the phrase that annoys me the most: I could care less. I’ve long since given up telling people that it should be “I couldn’t care less”.  While I’m venting, I might as well mention that my least favorite made-up word is “anywho”.

In the last few weeks, I’ve noticed a new phrase people have been using: “and all that kind of stuff”. I have no idea where it came from but, with all due respect, it’s a complete nightmare. I personally am trying to break myself of the habit at this moment in time. It shouldn’t be too hard to stop because it’s not rocket science.

What words or phrases annoy you the most?

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