Cringeworthy Words and Phrases Encountered as a Corporate Writer/Editor

unLove

A list of 19 words by middlesmith.

reach out1306879925and appears on 7 listswas added by dhuber and appears on 7 lists
stakeholder1306879894and appears on 21 listswas added by dhuber and appears on 21 lists
web-enabledness1248282092and appears on just this listwas added by middlesmith and appears on just this list
liaise1243456688and appears on 32 listswas added by middlesmith and appears on 32 lists
cognizant1243456446and appears on 86 listswas added by middlesmith and appears on 86 lists
monetize1243456416and appears on 30 listswas added by middlesmith and appears on 30 lists
bleeding edge1243456124and appears on 10 listswas added by middlesmith and appears on 10 lists
impactful1243456108and appears on 22 listswas added by middlesmith and appears on 22 lists
throughput1243346893and appears on 9 listswas added by middlesmith and appears on 9 lists
brand equity1243009024and appears on 3 listswas added by middlesmith and appears on 3 lists
right behind left behind1242959331and appears on just this listwas added by fbharjo and appears on just this list
needless to say1242958059and appears on 6 listswas added by fbharjo and appears on 6 lists
its'1242952075and appears on just this listwas added by middlesmith and appears on just this list
utilize1242951885and appears on 51 listswas added by middlesmith and appears on 51 lists
incent1242951237and appears on 7 listswas added by middlesmith and appears on 7 lists
moving forward1242950919and appears on 3 listswas added by middlesmith and appears on 3 lists
on the same sheet of music1242950595and appears on just this listwas added by middlesmith and appears on just this list
beveraged1242947528and appears on 3 listswas added by sionnach and appears on 3 lists
architected1242945970and appears on 4 listswas added by middlesmith and appears on 4 lists

About

Don't get me wrong: I like my job. I like everyone I work with too, but not all of them are word lovers, and many of them abuse the language in ways that hurt me. I'm stashing them here so that people who see them can join me in eliminating them from the English language.

Please add your own.

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.

middlesmith commented on the list cringeworthy-words-and-phrases-encountered-as-a-corporate-writer-editor

There are so many verbed nouns (and nouned verbs) in widespread use that we hardly notice them anymore. Architected and others I find in business communication give me a wallop every time. Does anyone know some similar offenders?

May 22, 2009
sionnach commented on the list cringeworthy-words-and-phrases-encountered-as-a-corporate-writer-editor

I currently have the good fortune to be staying in Dublin's Fitzwilliam Hotel, right where Grafton Street meets Stephen's Green. The Fitzwilliam is a fine "boutique" hotel, located in a former cinema. Less fine was the note I received on arrival from "Front Office Manager", Will Woods. After extending the requisite warm welcome, Will delivers the following atrocity:
"Please do not hesitate in contacting reception if we can assistance you in any way."
To which the only possible response seems to be:
HELP!!!

May 22, 2009
chained_bear commented on the list cringeworthy-words-and-phrases-encountered-as-a-corporate-writer-editor

Not sure which one your comment's referring to, middlesmith. Did you perhaps mean to leave that comment on the specific page of a particular word, rather than on the list page?

May 22, 2009
bilby commented on the list cringeworthy-words-and-phrases-encountered-as-a-corporate-writer-editor

Oooh, I think I even remember the hotel, sionnach. I was staying in the hostel a block away in Clarendon St last time I was there. Had a pleasant lunch in the Green with a friend who studies at Trinnie. Hope you're enjoying it.

May 22, 2009