A major problem with jargon is that managers and executive use it, which means that if you don’t—or if you try to set them straight—you can appear less qualified.

Although you and I know the word “utilize” is just a longer version of “use,” the former sounds more, I know don’t, scientific. To someone with an MBA, the sentence “We need to utilize the data we compiled on our 18 to 34 demo,” conveys a greater sense of purpose without that simple, three-letter word “use.”

Toss the word “leverage” in there, and suddenly it’s an MBA happy hour.

We have an open mind about jargon: Sometimes saying one word—as opposed to several—saves time if everyone understands it. But there are people—like the manager and his “utilize”—who drop certain words and phrases that grate on our nerves. Terms that make him (or her) sound like a complete jerk, an insufferable twit—an utter toolbag.

We’d like you to name those terms. You can do it on our Facebook page, our LinkedIn group, or in the comments section below.

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