Phrases that need to disappear

**rb336** · March-22-13, 10:21 AM

The one that I find really annoying is "I will get back to you at my earliest convenience." Translated: "I'll call you back whenever I feel like it."

To me, it just sounds like someone playing "I am so important" games. It is utterly unnecessary in any context, and I hear it most in professional settings.

Enough!

**Downtown Lady** · March-22-13, 10:36 AM

Originally Posted by rb336

The one that I find really annoying is "I will get back to you at my earliest convenience." Translated: "I'll call you back whenever I feel like it."

To me, it just sounds like someone playing "I am so important" games. It is utterly unnecessary in any context, and I hear it most in professional settings.

Enough!

Yes, I agree! Once upon a time it started out as "please call me back at your earliest convenience", which was actually being courteous to the other person, but eventually it got flipped to "my earliest convenience" which does make someone sound pretty self-important.

**Honky Tonk** · March-22-13, 10:39 AM

ASAP! It stands for "As Soon As Possible". Translated it means "The SOONEST I can POSSIBLY get to you is in two weeks".

**Gannon** · March-22-13, 11:54 AM

Killin' it.

**JBMcB** · March-22-13, 12:02 PM

"Speaking truth to power"

So you are somehow speaking a concept to an undefined entity. Could any phrase invested with so much meaning be more meaningless?

**Jimaz** · March-22-13, 03:09 PM

"This page intentionally left blank."

No. That's a self-falsifying statement. That phrase is used to intentionally avoid leaving the page blank.

**Gannon** · March-22-13, 03:16 PM

Originally Posted by JBMcB

"Speaking truth to power"

So you are somehow speaking a concept to an undefined entity. Could any phrase invested with so much meaning be more meaningless?

Anytime I hear that, I know the person has spent time in a non-Catholic and usually non-denominational inner-city church. It is another of many trite church-isms or church-speak that can sound like code to newcomers.

**rb336** · March-22-13, 04:18 PM

Originally Posted by Jimaz

"This page intentionally left blank."

No. That's a self-falsifying statement. That phrase is used to intentionally avoid leaving the page blank.

it is in so many bid documents

**Zacha341** · March-22-13, 11:00 PM

"In terms of..." Ick...

... that tired filler usually comes after or proceeds a bunch of double-talk, stuff-shirt language and banter which rarely clarifies a discussion. Often it is an indicator of someone not telling the full truth!

**Zacha341** · March-22-13, 11:03 PM

Hmmm, I never knew that annoying phrase had an alternative wording and usefulness!

Originally Posted by Downtown Lady

Yes, I agree! Once upon a time it started out as "please call me back at your earliest convenience", which was actually being courteous to the other person, but eventually it got flipped to "my earliest convenience" which does make someone sound pretty self-important.

**RO_Resident** · March-23-13, 08:34 PM

Originally Posted by Jimaz

"This page intentionally left blank."

No. That's a self-falsifying statement. That phrase is used to intentionally avoid leaving the page blank.

I worked at a special library at UM for a few years. Part of my job was copying and delivery of technical documents to engineers, lawyers, and academics.

That 5-word phrase probably saved a thousand calls from lawyers wondering if I miscopied or left out a page.

Now, a couple of decades later, whether submitting or reviewing bids for work, that little phrase reinforces that no important information was left out. Albeit, more proposals are using run-on formats, rather than book order, so there is less chance that there will be a blank page.

**rb336** · March-24-13, 03:07 PM

Instead of "this page intentionally left blank" why not just type "spacer page" or "filler page"?

**canuck** · March-24-13, 06:17 PM

phrases like;

"european styling" or european inspired something or other drives me up the wall. As if some dickhead sitting at a drafting table in Stuttgart or Paris were more "thenthitive" to the finer things in life. Fuggim.

Also, I really hate "value added" even though in the context of economics, it can be a valid expression, as an everyday term it sucks.

**rb336** · March-24-13, 06:32 PM

"save up to XX% and MORE!"

the "and more" totally nixes the "up to"

**Jimaz** · March-24-13, 06:40 PM

I introduced some British colleagues to Buzzword Bingo. They went wild over it. They started playing it at every meeting. Engineers over there love to rib each other for being too pompous.

**canuck** · March-25-13, 08:30 AM

Originally Posted by Jimaz

I introduced some British colleagues to Buzzword Bingo. They went wild over it. They started playing it at every meeting. Engineers over there love to rib each other for being too pompous.

Thanks Jimaz. " You learn something every day". My personal favorite. lol

**jackie5275** · March-25-13, 12:41 PM

It is what it is. Push back, why not just say resistance? Strategic planning-strategic means carefully planned, so you have carefully planned planning-kind of redundant. Best practices. Value add/value enhanced. Think outside the box. Right-sizing, why not just say downsizing? Proactive. Pull the trigger. Do less with more.
I could go on seemingly endlessly, but I think these are enough for now.

**rb336** · March-25-13, 02:02 PM

Originally Posted by jackie5275

Think outside the box. Right-sizing, why not just say downsizing?

Why not just say throwing workers out on their asses so I can get a bigger bonus? that's what both terms really mean

**TKshreve** · March-26-13, 02:04 PM

"I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree" [I'm right, you're wrong - but you won't admit it]

"Your call is important to us" - robo voice [So important we understaff and the savings we make are directly proportionate to how long you wait on hold]

"Yes and no" [Get a fu*king life you indecisive azz]

"Epic" [no, it really wasn't that epic at all]

"Fail" [My 6 yo nephew would lol]

**rb336** · March-26-13, 02:29 PM

i guess that takes care of "epic fail" as well

**Pam** · March-27-13, 06:40 AM

"Wow factor" was one of mine. It made this list:

http://www.lssu.edu/banished/complete_list.php

**rb336** · March-31-13, 10:28 PM

Can we please remove the word "activity" from weather forecasts? "there's going to be some rain activity tomorrow afternoon. the rain will enjoy outings to the DIA, bowling and pizza!"

**theklep** · March-31-13, 11:15 PM

At the end of the day.

**313WX** · April-01-13, 07:04 AM

I know these aren't phrases, but I can't stand it when people use the word "Dude" or say "smh."

**Zacha341** · April-01-13, 07:25 AM

"No comment" Instead say nothing... unless you mean to convey a negative meaning or non-compliant response unstated.

"I don't mean to hurt your feelings..." This preamble usually proceeds a put down.

"Bipartisan Agreement..." This usually indicates neither.

"Tolerant or Tolerance" Often infers an 'intolerant' demand for endorsement and full agreement!

"I'm a Graphic Designer!" Isn't everyone who has some software and a keyboard?