The year 2020 has undoubtedly been a tough one. While ‘Pandemic’ is Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Year, it’s no coincidence that Benjamin Moore’s Color of the Year is Aegean Teal, which is a soothing and anxiety-free color.
Here’s the updated list of words and phrases gleaned from your responses. Wherever possible, I’ve included the author’s original commentary.
Snackable content
✅ Snacks are a tasty treat.
❌ They don’t belong in marketing lingo.
… From Laurel Carpenter
#TheNewNormal
✅ Okay to use when COVID-19 has been 100% eradicated throughout the globe.
❌ Referring to anything that smacks of 2020.
… From Jody Maier Piazza, Michelle King, Karen Korr, Cheryl Bame, and Cecilia Ramos Linton
Doing my research
✅ Fine, if you work in a university setting, consultancy, or a think tank.
❌ When you’re really online shopping on Cyber Monday. (var. When everyday people in the comments section thinking they’re experts because they’ve done a quick Google. Listen to the experts.)
… From Katherine McCoy Rivera
Rigged
✅ For Mariners “to fit with sails.”
❌ As a synonym for “losing.”
… From Alan Brew
Very unique
✅ “Unique” means one of a kind – but very unique is just plain wrong.
❌ Is what your mother says when she doesn’t like the outfit you’re wearing. (var. “Now, that’s an interesting look.”)
… From Nancy Stein
Open the kimono
✅ Appropriate attire if you are in Japan.
❌ This one will get you in deep trouble, especially if you’re Harvey Weinstein or Roger Ailes.
… From Roy Sexton
Uncertain times
✅ Barely acceptable, even for journalists needing a comparison to a previous period in history.
❌ Use Grammarly if you’re really, really stuck.
From Michelle King and John Rambow
Flatten the curve
✅ Acceptable when accompanied by a data-driven infographic like you see in The New York Times, but not related to COVID.
❌ See “uncertain times,” above.
… From Michelle King
The Rona
✅ Sorry, but this one is never okay.
❌ Even when typed into a graphic on your Instagram.
… From Michelle King
You’re on mute
✅ Similar to your PR team’s reminder, “Remember: The mic is hot.’”
❌ Geez. Do we need to send this professional to a Zoom class? (Y’all know who I mean!)
… From Karen Korr and Paula Zirinsky
Circle back
✅ If you don’t have a GPS in your car, then sure. Go ahead and ask the gas station attendant for directions… again.
❌ Simply replace it with an “I’ll get back to you.” A little wordy, but at least it’s not corporate-speak.
… From Karen Korr
Cultivating
✅ Perfect, if you have a Master Gardener certificate.
❌ Feh! No one in the real world uses this term, except marketers and social media influencers.
… From Jen Forrester
Thought leadership
✅ Earmarked exclusively for books and articles of great significance.
❌ This term has reached a saturation point to make it almost filler.
… From Amy Spach
Dog Whistle
✅ Is a useful training tool – if you have a dog.
❌ Avoid using this loaded term unless you have a dog.
… From David Thompson
Cringe-tastic
✅ A newer take on cringeworthy, which is still prevalent.
❌ Editor’s note: This term might be too arcane at this point.
… From David Thompson
Pivot
✅ A common term when referring to a dance step.
❌ This is an overused term that sounds good when a company doesn’t honestly believe in its new direction.
… From Judy Kalvin
Stay safe
✅ What the sergeant says to his crew before they start their shift. (Similar to “let’s be careful out there,” if you’re old enough to remember Hill Street Blues.)
❌ Disingenuous, in a business context, especially when signing-off in an email.
… From John Rambow
Walk back (a statement)
✅ One of several dance moves created by Michael Jackson.
❌ A poor attempt to explain away or disassemble a falsehood after being found out.
… From Alan Brew
Return to work
✅ Acceptable, if you do shift work, you’re masked-up, and socially distancing.
❌ For most professionals (who have been WFH for years), this term falls on deaf ears.
… From Catherine Alman MacDonagh
[Editor’s note: Catherine added, “I had a well-liked LinkedIn post about this. I’m pretty sure it was supposed to be “return to the office,” because most of us have never worked harder!”]
And finally, the following terms from Andrew Goldberg, whom I do not know – is the clear winner, having the most entries that genuinely need to go away:
Beyond grateful
Authenticity
Resilience
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