A quick guide to passive-aggressive workplace communication
Decorum must prevail when you’re in the office, so nasty-nice code words and phrases stand in for candor. Here’s how to decipher them.
Some buzzwords and insider phrases are industry-specific; others are just trendy and spread like germs.
Below are euphemistic phrases that have become ubiquitous in the modern office—along with their translations.
See how many you recognize:
“Good to know.” Translation: I couldn’t possibly care less.
“Sounds like a plan.” Translation: A terrible plan, actually. A recipe for seismic failure.
“I know you’re busy.” Translation: My ears are bleeding; please shut the hell up.
“I see what you did there.” Translation: That’s the least funny thing I’ve ever heard.
“Maybe that project isn’t the right fit for you.” Translation: Stay away from that project, you blithering buffoon.
“I’m not growing in my job.” Translation: They don’t even trust me to run the copy machine.
“I don’t think I’m getting the idea behind your graph.” Translation: Who did this? A chimp with an Etch-a-Sketch?
Become a Ragan Insider member to read this article and all other archived content.
Sign up today
Already a member? Log in here.
Learn more about Ragan Insider.
