Top Annoying Work Phrases People Want to Stop Hearing

In the fast-paced and often confusing world of business, corporate language can sometimes be a source of frustration. The use of buzzwords and phrases, commonly known as "corporate speak," can be a double-edged sword. When used properly, they can aid in communication and enhance the speaker's credibility. However, when used poorly or incorrectly, they can have the opposite effect. It's common for anyone working in the business world to encounter certain words and expressions, no matter how fluent they are in the language.

Preply Business conducted a survey of 1,550 people working in offices or remotely across all 50 states. They aimed to determine the most annoying work terms. On average, the respondents were 38 years old. 54% identified as male, 45% as female, and 1% as non-binary. The participants had different levels of education, from bachelor's degree holders to people with a doctorate.

According to the study, it has been revealed that the most disliked work terms are "WIN-WIN," "Culture," "Circle back," and "Give 110%." In work meetings, certain expressions can be frustrating to understand, as pointed out in the study. Especially in a group setting where it's more difficult to verify if you've grasped the meaning correctly. Written communication, such as emails or internal memos, often use abbreviations or acronyms for speed, though they can be confusing if taken literally. For instance, "MOM" refers to the minutes of the meeting, and "POC" refers to the point of contact.

The survey found that one in five people dislike corporate buzzwords because they hear them so often. An overwhelming 85% of workers report hearing such terms at least once a week, with 40% hearing them once daily.

The study highlights the benefits of using business jargon in the workplace such as improving efficiency, clarity, and credibility while saving time.

See what else the study uncovered here.

We send and receive a lot of emails throughout our lifetime, mainly while at work. How many times have you wondered about the best way to respond to a work email? In general, emails tend to have their own language or dialect. Sometimes there’s an underlying tone behind the professional jargon of your email. Like any other form of communication, the language of email has unwritten rules that change over time.

Most people don’t think about their email closing lines or what kind of vibe they may give off. According to Preply, nearly half (46%) of people say they can tell a coworker’s mood based on their greetings and sign-offs. Meanwhile, only 37% of people admitted to tweaking their own closing lines to show frustration. They also mentioned that younger workers may more often express their feelings through email.

Looking closer at the study’s data on salutations, they mention corporate communication "faux pas." Sixty-five percent of people want everyone to do away with using "sent from my phone, please excuse typos." The results also show that Forty-two percent say emojis are never appropriate, while more than 50% think they are "sometimes okay."

The most common sign-offs shown in the study include "thank you," "thanks," just your name, and "sincerely." The surveyors considered those to be the "most uptight" sign-offs. When it comes to the "most savage" sign-offs or worst ways to end an email they found these phrases to be the worst ways to do it.

If you want to end a work email in the best way possible, the study found has some helpful tips. You may want to use phrases like “thanks,” “talk soon,” and “take care.”

The full study can be found here.

These are some of the worst ways to end work emails.