Each generation has its own buzzwords. Using them in a multi-generational workplace breeds confusion.
When social media influencer Lisa Beasley parodies corporate speak with her “Corporate Erin” persona on TikTok, thousands laugh along. Her satirical videos mock the buzzwords that tangle modern business communication. But behind the humor lies a serious issue: corporate jargon is creating real barriers in today’s multigenerational workplace.
According to the Duolingo and LinkedIn State of Workplace Jargon Report, which surveyed more than 8,000 workers across eight countries, the overuse of business buzzwords isn’t just annoying, it’s actively hampering understanding and productivity across generational lines. Nearly 60 percent of respondents felt that their colleagues overused jargon. Gen Z-ers and Millennials sometimes feel excluded when they don’t understand the terms their managers use. Buzzwords baffle Baby Boomers, too, as they hear their younger counterparts use language in unexpected ways.
The generational divide in understanding corporate jargon is evident in the examples that confuse different age groups. The Duolingo/LinkedIn study highlighted specific terms that cause the most confusion in American workplaces. Phrases like “boiling the ocean” and “herding cats” topped the list of perplexing jargon. Even seemingly ubiquitous expressions such as “run it up the flagpole,” “move the needle,” or “get your ducks in a row” can leave many employees scratching their heads.
When managers tell their young workers to “run an idea up a flagpole,” Gen Z employees may wonder which flagpole the manager is talking about. Referring to “balls in the air” conjures images of circus jugglers and a term like “blue sky thinking” might mystify younger staff.
Conversely, many Boomers’ minds boggle when they learn that “brat” is now a positive term and “savage” implies being brave or fearless. The evolving nature of language means that “high-key” now means the opposite of “low-key,” implying giving all one’s energy to a task, while “bae” stands for “before anyone else.” The message here is obvious: Business buzzwords blur rather than boost business communication.
When you use too many business buzzwords, you might make members of certain age groups feel excluded. Worse, they might not know what you’re talking about. If the purpose of communication is to convey our meaning seamlessly to our readers, corporate buzzwords are clearly not doing the job.
Using terms that other people do not understand makes them feel disconnected from you. When people feel alienated, they are less open to receiving your message. Why write in a way that obstructs the communication goals you are trying to achieve?
The solution to this communication conundrum isn’t complex, but it does require conscious effort.
Here are some strategies to improve workplace communication:
Embrace clarity:
When you encounter a term you don’t understand, don’t hesitate to ask for clarification. This not only helps you but also alerts others to potentially confusing language. Remember, if you’re confused, others likely are too.
Know your audience:
Consider who you’re communicating with and adjust your language accordingly. What’s clear to you might be opaque to others.
Explain unfamiliar terms:
If you must use industry-specific jargon, provide brief explanations to ensure everyone is on the same page. For instance, “blue sky” and “boiling the ocean” sound like meteorological terms to me, just as “low-hanging fruit” could be mistaken for good news for farm workers.
Lead by example:
Use clear, straightforward language in your own communication. Regardless of your position in the organization, you can become the person known for straight talk.
Be creative:
Instead of relying on tired buzzwords, challenge yourself to find fresh, clear ways to express your ideas. Write clearly and simply. Your readers will feel refreshed, included, and genuinely ready to engage with your message.
Remember, the goal of business communication isn’t to spout the latest slang–it’s to convey ideas effectively and drive collective success. By actively working to eliminate generation-specific words and prioritizing clear communication, you create more inclusive, efficient, and productive workplaces.
The next time you’re tempted to use a buzzword, pause and ask yourself: Is there a simpler way to express this idea? Your colleagues–across all generations–will thank you for it.
For those of you still scratching your heads over some of the buzzwords I dropped in this column, here’s a handy decoder.
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