Corporate buzzwords often emerge as shorthand for complex ideas, helping teams communicate quickly. While it’s known that many employees embrace them as part of workplace culture, others can feel excluded when they don’t understand certain terms. A recent tombola survey found that two-thirds of Brits use corporate jargon regularly but also that over a third of working Brits feel embarrassed or stupid when faced with corporate jargon they don’t know.
Whether you’re new to the workplace or simply tired of hearing the same expressions, understanding corporate lingo helps you navigate conversations with confidence.
Commonly used corporate jargon
The most used phrase discovered was “hit the ground running”, which means to start a task with energy and efficiency. In second place is “touch base” – a term that means to reconnect or check in about a project. While these phrases may be useful, it’s important our colleagues use lingo to add value to conversations rather than create unnecessary complexity.
The most disliked corporate buzzwords
According to tombola’s research, the most hated phrase is one of the most commonly used: “touch base”, which 18% of Brits say they despise. Next on the list is “blue sky thinking” – a term used to describe limitless creativity, yet often criticised for being vague and impractical. Overusing jargon often lacks clarity, making meetings and emails feel less engaging.
Deciphering the most misunderstood terms
Jargon doesn’t just frustrate – it also confuses. A staggering 87% of working Brits report encountering phrases they don’t understand daily. Not understanding jargon can leave employees feeling unsure about their contributions or hesitant to speak up. If you’re unsure about a phrase, a quick clarification – either by asking a colleague or doing a quick search – can prevent miscommunication and build confidence in discussions.
Psychologist and Certified Coach, Ruth Kudzi, commented: “It is common to feel embarrassed if people use terms or jargon that we don’t understand, particularly if it is in a professional setting. The psychological reasoning behind this is because the panic of not understanding something someone says induces a ‘fight or flight’ state, where we feel irritated with ourselves or anxious about how we are being perceived externally. This feeling is amplified when in a group setting or put under pressure one-on-one.”
Promoting inclusive communication in the workplace
Jargon can unintentionally create barriers in the workplace. Instead of asking for clarification in the moment, many employees choose to Google jargon later, with searches for “corporate slang” increasing 129% in the last year.
Jargon’s impact goes beyond everyday conversations. Nearly one in five employees believe their lack of familiarity with corporate slang has negatively affected their chances of a promotion or pay rise. Women, in particular, report feeling disadvantaged, with 30% saying confusion over workplace lingo affects their ability to speak up in meetings, compared to just 16% of men.
On the findings, Samantha Wilcox, SEO and Digital PR Manager at tombola, said: “According to the research, there is a perception that workers that don’t understand office jargon are less likely to progress at work, with women feeling particularly left behind.”
The best workplaces promote clarity over complexity. By choosing language that everyone understands, teams foster a culture of openness, making collaboration more effective and inclusive for all employees.