office language: an interpretive guide

Language can be a slippery eel: hard to catch, and sometimes shocking when you do grab hold of it.

Most of us know a few basic phrases in another tongue, such as “where’s the restroom”, “may I have the bill” or “two beers, please”. We won’t translate those here for you – if you don’t know them by now that means you’ve done your business on the side of the road, skipped out on a meal and don’t drink beer. We’re not writing this for you. Well, maybe we are. We understand extenuating circumstances.

Every office has a unique language. Some standard office-isms apply fairly universally to all office cultures. But there are subtle nuances that make each office unique. We can often discern what type of office you’ve worked in based on the lingo you’re using.

It takes months, sometimes years to assimilate into a new office environment. Temporary staff has a tough time, and it’s for the temps of the world that we share this knowledge. You are our unsung heroes. We take you for granted and give you the crap jobs. We know it.

But we do it anyway. We can’t help it. And it's usually because you don’t know how to speak within our discourse community. It’s our distinctive neighbourhood slang, not yours. Somehow, though, the expectation is that you are the one who can and will fit in seamlessly. It’s a pretty high bar that’s set, considering we expect most of our executive team to regularly have absolutely no clue what we're talking about.

To dispel some of the mystery around a few of the more common office sub-culture lingo, we’ve compiled a list of translations from our own days of bobbing around in the auxiliary pool.

Flex day
The day taken in lieu when staff work extra hours, usually within a two-week pay period. However, these extra hours are often not worked, hence the loose translation of “I screwed the employer day”.

Increase brand recognition
Refers to the gain in popularity and/or acknowledgement of one’s 'brand' or marketable item(s). Easily confused with “Spend more time on Twitter”.

Community development
Time and effort spent working with partners or like organizations within one’s geographical or virtual community. Can also be “Go to the pub and buy local beer/wine”.

Integrated case practice
The working together of all parties or individuals affected or having impact on the success or outcome of one person/event. Has also been known as “Getting together for a big piss-up”.

Fair market evaluation
Assessment of an asset in the current economic climate, usually in competition with like assets. Could be mistaken as “Checking out guys/gals at the hotel lounge after work”.

Social media consultant/consulting
The hiring of an individual or firm to assist with better market penetration through the use of new media tools. Often misinterpreted as “Drinking in public with a recording device”.


This list is by all means not exhaustive - it only touches the tip of the proverbial iceberg. There are, however, many times that the executive (or other big cheese you are providing temporary support for) will use one or more of the office-isms above and expect you to know the real meaning behind them.

Consider yourself not only warned, but now armed.


~ Paige