corporatese
Office speak syndrome
Corporatese is the jargon-laden, vague language characteristic of business communication.
It favors abstraction over clarity: leverage synergies, circle back, move the needle, align stakeholders.
The term is usually disparaging, implying empty buzzwords that obscure meaning rather than convey it.
The memo was pure corporatese—I couldn't tell what they actually wanted.
Combined effect exceeding components
- leverageBorrowed capital for amplified returns
- bandwidthData transmission capacity
- circle backRevisit a topic later
- deliverablesContracted work products owed
stakeholders · actionable · pivot · scalable · value-add · core competencies · move the needle · low-hanging fruit
Brief internal message
- emailDigital written communication
- presentationFormal display to viewers
- deckShip's flat surface
- briefingConcise information session
quarterly report · press release · mission statement · talking points · boilerplate · buzzwords · euphemism · obfuscation
Organized group assemblies
- cubiclePartitioned office workspace
- boardroomCorporate decision venue
- PowerPointMicrosoft's presentation application
- HREmployee management department
management · executives · workplace · office politics · performance review · team building · town hall · watercooler
Lacking significance or purpose
- vapidDull, without depth
- hollowEmpty within
- pretentiousFalsely grand or important
- alienatingCausing emotional separation
dehumanizing · impersonal · soulless · empty · robotic · formulaic · insincere · opaque
synergy
Combined effect exceeding components
- leverageBorrowed capital for amplified returns
- bandwidthData transmission capacity
- circle backRevisit a topic later
deliverables · stakeholders · actionable · pivot · scalable · value-add · core competencies · move the needle · low-hanging fruit · deep dive
memo
Brief internal message
- emailDigital written communication
- presentationFormal display to viewers
- deckShip's flat surface
briefing · quarterly report · press release · mission statement · talking points · boilerplate · buzzwords · euphemism · obfuscation · doublespeak
meetings
Organized group assemblies
- cubiclePartitioned office workspace
- boardroomCorporate decision venue
- PowerPointMicrosoft's presentation application
HR · management · executives · workplace · office politics · performance review · team building · town hall · watercooler · open plan
meaningless
Lacking significance or purpose
- vapidDull, without depth
- hollowEmpty within
- pretentiousFalsely grand or important
alienating · dehumanizing · impersonal · soulless · empty · robotic · formulaic · insincere · opaque · evasive
- jargonjargon, lingo, legal jargon, slang, buzz words
corporateseplain English
Unadorned, accessible wording
plain language · plain speech · straight talk · layman's terms · everyday language
corporatesecandor
Unguarded truthfulness
conversational language · colloquial speech · real talk · straight talk · informal speech
- corporate espionageTheft of proprietary business information
- corporate brandingCompany's distinctive visual presence
- corporate ladderOrganizational rank structure
- corporate scandalsOrganizational wrongdoing made public
- corporate attire
- corporate lobbyingBusiness efforts swaying lawmakers