The Ridiculous Business Jargon Dictionary: O-words

Do you wonder where your co-workers picked up all the ridiculous things they say? From fresh-faced interns to top management, everyone drops one of these gems occasionally. We can only hope that you're not here to actually add buzzwords to your vocabulary.

O ho [n.]Office wHOre.
Suggested by Matt F.
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O'clock [n.]Shorthand for a meeting at a specific time. "I can't touch my 3 o'clock so let's call this a hard stop."Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
O'dark thirty [n.]Far too early in the morning. "So the boss calls up and schedules a meeting for O'dark thirty."
Suggested by brad
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Office pretty [adj.]A female coworker that is attractive only in comparison to others at the office. "After I ran into Helen at a restaurant, I realized she was just office pretty."Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter


Offline [adj.]Used in business meetings to reference a more detailed discussion that won't involve the whole group. "Let's dialogue about these issues offline."Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Old boys club [n.]A tight network of longstanding business relationships.Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
On point [adj.]A military term referring to the first and primary person involved in a given situation. "You're on point tomorrow with the Mexican clients."Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
On the air [adj.]Reachable by email or phone via a mobile device. "I'm out of the office but I'll be on the air all afternoon."
Suggested by Jeff.
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On the carpet [adj.]In trouble. "I called Johnson on the carpet the other day; he really tanked in that meeting with the client."Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
On the cheap [exp.]To do something at a low cost. "No expense account for this trip. We're going to have to do it on the cheap."Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
On the map [adj.]Well known.Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
On the take [exp.]Accepting unethical money.Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
On your plate [exp.]The work currently assigned to a given employee.Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Onboarding [v.]1) The process of garnering support for a project.
2) Familiarizing a new hire, which often includes orientation, filling out tax forms, training, obtaining key cards, etc.
Suggested by Matthew H. and Jon.
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One throat to choke [exp.]Dealing with one large supplier for many items. Then if something goes wrong, there is only company to rage at.Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
One-man show [n.]A business with a single proprietor.Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
One-two punch [n.]A borrowed boxing term meaning two actions taken immediately after each other.Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Open skies [adj.]Universally available.Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Open the kimono [v.]Revealing confidential business information. The term would probably be more offensive if it wasn't usually one overweight, middle-aged man asking another to open his kimono. "You'll have to open the kimono on your IP before engineering will sign off on the deal."
Suggested by Grushenkaman.
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Operationalize [v.]To do. Now was that so hard?Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
OPM [n.]Other People's Money. You down with OPM?Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Optics [n.]How something appears. "I understand the optics of this situation, but despite how it looks, we have not acted inappropriately."
Suggested by Karen M.
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Org chart [n.]A graphical representation of an organization's hierarchy. "If there's only two people above me on the org chart, why do I have six telling me what to do?"Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Organic growth [n.]Expanding a business from within using existing workers... and nepotism!
Suggested by Conan B.
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Organizational awareness [n.]Familiarity with the things that are (or supposed to be) commonly known throughout an organization. "What do you mean you don't have our mission statement memorized?"Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Organizational DNA [n.]A cute analogy relating the four basic units of genetic code with the elements of successful management. Some call these "decision rights, information, motivators, and structure", others, "factual, conceptual, contextual, and individual," but both are guilty of repackaging established knowledge under a trendy new buzzword.Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Organogram [n.]Organization chart. "Where would you place yourself on the organogram in the near-term?"
Suggested by Will Blackstock.
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OT mail [n.]OverTime-mail. The practice of sending your boss a superfluous email, just to let him know how late you were working.Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Out of bed [adj.]In a state of disarray or misalignment. "Call in a hot delivery because we're totally out of bed on that order."
Suggested by Emily C.
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Out of the box [exp.]Describes the abilities of a product immediately after purchase without any upgrades or integration. "What can this software do out of the box?"
Suggested by Matt F.
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Out of the woodwork [exp.]A surprise appearance.Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Out-of-pocket [adj.]Unreachable. "I'm boarding the plane, so I'll be out-of-pocket for a few hours."
Suggested by Jim.
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Outbeat [v.]Like beating a competitor… but more so, apparently. "Hammer your leads and outbeat those clowns."
Suggested by Nick
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Outside the box [exp.]A creative solution that avoids a traditional or common approach. The 'box' concept has started to lose all meaning now that everyone claims to be outside of it.Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Over-the-shoulder time [n.]An informal training or review session conducted in-person. "Drop by my office for a little over-the-shoulder time."
Suggested by Corey S.
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Ownership [n.]An employee's realization that he is ultimately responsible for the success of a given endeavor. You may even convince him that it was his idea in the first place.
Suggested by Mrs. B. Trellis of North Wales.
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Oxygen-move [n.]The act of 'breathing new life' into a project or business. "Your team's productivity is down; we need an oxygen-move to keep things moving forward."
Suggested by Matt.
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