Words (not) to live by: New Nerd Speak
Is Washington the new Tower of Babel, a place where everybody talks but few really listen or understand? Senior Correspondent Mike Causey calls it New Nerd Spea...
Is your federal office the new Tower of Babel?
Every profession, craft, trade and bureaucracy — federal or private sectors — has its own lingo. There is doctortalk, lawyer lingo, psychbabble, geekspeak. Media pundits and politicians definitely speak their own brand of English. Call it New Nerd Speak. While it’s almost certain that most NNS-non speakers don’t have a clue what’s being said, it is entirely possible that some NNS speakers themselves don’t understand what’s being said, even as they nod knowingly as they lean in. But it seems to work at trade shows, IT conferences and congressional hearings. Makes one feel inclusive.
Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve been collecting contributions from readers who are amused, appalled or confused by words and terms they hear around the office. So here’s more of the Best Of The Worst:
Erica says “some of my colleagues and I strung together our most-hated terms into one sentence that we use every once in a while:
At the end of the day, it is what it is, and I own it.
Shawn of the IRS likes the following: “future state and concept of operations.” In other words “if we don’t get some funding soon, our future state will be defunct, and our concept of operations will be a busy signal.” Very appropriate for tax D-Day, which is today.
Randy, also with the IRS, offers these which he says are favorites of politicians:
- “The truth of the matter …” Really you’re a politician I assume you’re always telling the truth. If you have to tell me your telling the truth, well then maybe … HA! HA!
- “Let me be clear …” I would much prefer you cloud the issue or don’t answer the question!
Another one I hear at IRS all the time is
“Do more with less …” “When was the last time anyone did less with more?”
Deb D., of the Department of Defense, says, “Whenever anybody, but particularly a politician, says ‘Frankly, quite frankly or let me be frank,’ I automatically assume they speak with forked tongue.”
Indeed. Roger. Affirmative. All In.
Nearly Useless Factoid
Elvis Presley owned a pet chimpanzee named Scatter.
Source: Elvis Presley King of Rock n’ Roll
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Mike Causey
Mike Causey is senior correspondent for Federal News Network and writes his daily Federal Report column on federal employees’ pay, benefits and retirement.
Follow @mcauseyWFED
