The Ridiculous Business Jargon Dictionary: A-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.

Above-board [adj.]Honest and open. "I don't think you're being totally above-board with me."Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Aces in their places! [exp.]When someone shouts this out, everyone runs to their station and leverages their core competency.
Suggested by EC.
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Acluistic [adj.]Completely clueless.Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Across the piece [exp.]Affecting an entire project or organization. "We're aiming for efficiency improvements across the piece."
Suggested by Clive N.
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Action [v.]To undertake a given task; to put into practice. "Don't bother me while I'm actioning my deliverables."
Suggested by Ryan.
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Action item [n.]A short term goal that requires a defined measure of work to complete. Basically a dynamic, proactive version of your to do list.Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Actionable [adj.]Originally a legal word referring to anything that affords grounds for a lawsuit. In business speak, it's anything on which action can be taken.Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Address [v.]Used as a replacement for 'do', 'tackle', or 'complete', this word nicely avoids making a commitment to which the speaker can be held accountable. "I will address all of your concerns in the upcoming weeks."
Suggested by Russel H.
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Adhocracy [n.]A minimally structured business where teams are formed as they are needed to address specific problems.Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Admin [n.]Political correctness beat brevity when Secretary became Administrative Assistant. Brevity is back. "Get on the horn with my Admin."Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Administrivia [n.]A term that encompasses all the trivial tasks that management is far too qualified to suffer through.Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Adoption process [n.]The customer's steps along the path from cautious cynic to submissive consumer of your product.Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Aggressive mediocrity [n.]A conscious effort to ensure that the bare minimum, and nothing more, is achieved.
Suggested by SM Trkula
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Agreeance [n.]A fancier way of saying agreement. "Are we in agreeance?"Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Air it out [v.]To discuss an issue openly. "Let's get the team together and air it out this aft."Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Al Desko [adj.]Describes any meal eaten at an office desk (you have our sympathies if it's dinner). "I slept in so I'm having breakfast Al Desko."Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
ALAP [adj.]As Late As Possible. Describes meeting a deadline at the last possible moment in order to avoid receiving additional work. "I finished it last week, but I'm going to submit it ALAP."
Suggested by JC.
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Alignment [n.]Consensus. "Can we align on lunch orders?"
Suggested by Josh
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All-hands meeting [n.]A mandatory meeting for all employees. "Bob called an all-hands this afternoon. Not a good sign when he's willing to freeze the whole department for an hour."Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Alpha geek [n.]The head of your company's IT department.Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Alpha pup [n.]Trendsetting young people. Important targets for marketing to this age group. "Get six alpha pups in here for a focus group."Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Amped [adj.]Having a large amount of excitement and energy. "I'm so amped about this new product line."Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Anacronym [n.]An acronym that is so old, no one remembers the original phrase. Examples include RADAR, ASCII, and SNAFU.Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Anecgloat [n.]A story designed to make the speaker look good. May be partly fictional.Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Animal spirits [n.]The irrational optimism that drives people to risk their life savings on a half-baked start-up idea.Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Anointed [n.]An employee that can't seem to do anything wrong in the eyes of management.Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Anonymize [v.]To make anonymous.Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Anticipointment [n.]The feeling that something didn't live up to its hype.Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Appetite [n.]Level of interest. "Don't spend another minute on this till you sample consumer appetite."
Suggested by Otis
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Apple polish [v.]To suck-up, flatter.Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Armchair general [n.]Someone who speaks critically, but has no experience in the field in question.Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Around [adv.]Replaces 'about' with a softer, tangential approach. "We need to dialog around your choice of work attire."
Suggested by Corinne F.
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Arrows to fire [exp.]Points to use in an argument. "Now if you don't have any more arrows to fire, I think we're finished here."Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Ask [n.]Used when the word 'request' is not quite cool enough. "Where do we stand on the latest client ask?"
Suggested by John C.
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Assignment capsule [n.]A clearly defined job description or task. "Stop arguing about objectives and start handing out assignment capsules."Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Assmosis [v.]The apparent absorption of success that comes from sucking up.Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
At the end of the day [exp.]The speaker would like you to know that he has a profound understanding about what is important and what is not.
Suggested by Tom O.
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At this juncture [exp.]Now. "We're not prepared to go public at this juncture."Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Availability [n.]A convenient way of separating the individual from the ability to manage her own time. "I'd love to come, but I'm not sure about my availability, grandma."
Suggested by Sam K.
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