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Latest pm/business-speak bs buzzword 2

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pgmr777

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Aug 16, 2006
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Optics". You can't just say "what does it look like" any more. The correct pm way is now "what are the optics of this (insert pm-babble-speakish noun instead of normal object description)".
WHERE do these things originate?
WHY do they originate?
WHO originates them and WHY are they so opposed to speaking normally?
 
I actually first heard this use in political discussions. As in politicians won't discuss certain issues because "the optics are bad".

I guess that makes them look better than if you said, "They don't want to talk about anything that makes them look bad". That shows fear/cowardice, and is a fairly negative statement.

The one benefit is, the first time I heard it, I did pretty much know what was meant without any explanation. Some words survive because they are a useful shorthand for an idea. Whereas some slang takes a bit of explaining to start conveying meaning.

I personally think this type of word (mis)use comes out of Marketing Departments. Those are some weird people. [bigsmile]


 
Once I overheard a meeting where the word bandwidth was substituted for time. For example do you have 'time' for a meeting. Instead 'do you have the bandwidth for a meeting now?' I cringed.

Slang.
 
Interestingly, in French the word optique has for a long time been used to mean a point of view or a context. For example, Ç'est dans optique que le projet a lieu, which perhaps translates as "It is in that context the project is taking place."

MIke



__________________________________
Mike Lewis (Edinburgh, Scotland)

Visual FoxPro articles, tips and downloads
 
On a recent project, a full-scale integrated system test was referred to by upper management as a "dress rehearsal".
WTF, and I don't mean WedThuFri.

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advanced cognitive capabilities and other marketing buzzwords explained with sarcastic simplicity


 
johnherman said:
On a recent project, a full-scale integrated system test was referred to by upper management as a "dress rehearsal".

I would have complained to management that "I don't care how important it is, I ain't wearin' no dress!"

 
johnherman said:
WTF, and I don't mean WedThuFri.

Of course everyone knows the real meaning... [wink]
Welcome To Facebook.

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"Thank you for calling Technical Support. If you feel you have reached this number in error, please hang up and try again." ~Jane Barbe
 
I saw a biker on a Harley with a patch that read, "FTW". I'm guessing "Fine Two Wheeler".
 
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