These buzzwords are overused and abused
As technology moves forward, the English language sometimes takes a step backward. You can thank public relations professionals, CEOs and technology journalists for that. Whether grammatically incorrect or simply annoying, here's our list of 23 overused tech buzzwords that are painful to hear.
13. When people say 'form factor', what they mean to say is dimensions or (even more simply) shape. The extra word isn't impressing anybody.
14. Sometimes we kind of wish people who say 'bleeding edge' would end up on one.
15. We'd pay money just to see a new tech gadget that actually incorporated 'bells and whistles'.
16. When talking about the cost of something, there's no need to say 'price point'. It's like calling tuna, 'tuna fish'.
17. 'Prosumer' as a marketing term for high-end products, means very close to nothing. What, exactly, is a professional consumer?
18. The next time someone says 'gimme your digits', we'll try to resist handing over a bag of fingers.
19. 'Future-proof'? Who are we fooling? Nothing is built to last more than two years.
20. There was probably a time in history when the phrase 'eye candy' sounded vaguely edgy, maybe back when Miami Vice regularly featured nose candy busts. As for 'ear candy' - yuck!
21. Not sure whether someone is sold on your business idea? Just insist that it will 'monetise', and your funding is in the bag. Better yet, use 'monetisation' to 'incent' your audience to recognise the lurking 'value proposition'. Or be like the little red hen and 'productise' your idea with a little 'architecting' of your own.
22. Acts of nature - such as an earthquake or a visit from an in-law - are disruptive. Calling a new technology 'disruptive' gives it far too much credit.
23.' Synergy' describes the combined action of two elements working together in a mutually beneficial way. We just think it's one of those feel-good things CEOs like to say to draw your attention away from what's going on behind the scenes.
See also: How to: Explaining 8 stupid IT buzzwords
- These buzzwords are overused and abused
- Form factor and bells and whistles
Comments
Slasher999 said: Next Generation is very future tense To describe something you can hold and use now as the next generation of gadget XYZ is like trying to put this item into a future tense It should be referred to as the new generation or the new version of gadget XYZ
jdjenkins said: Im all for keeping language straightforward and clear but theres no holding back its evolution
Passmadd said: You forgot the tech support nightmare phraseComputer illiterate
Darin Newberry said: A great read Thanks for joining in the protest against these bloated over-worn phrases They might work to inflate page count but they alternately confuse and put off people reading or hearing them usedConnect with me at linkedincomindarinnewberry
raym said: If an architectural tecnician or similar advertises himself as an architect or offers architect services he is open to charges by the Architects Registration Board - the same should apply where IT people call themseves Architects or the term is used in job titles
raym said: Leave the term architect where it belongs - with those who design buiildings
geeby said: twitter and blog are two that really get on my nerveswe appear to be breeding a generation of technology geniuses who are intelectually beareft
Stunned of Dorking said: Quite right True professionals should only employ words and phrases hallowed by time and preferably drawn from the book of common prayerWhat an outbreak of Fogeyism What have you guys been toking
RichMc said: Totaly off the planet where you die of radiation bombardment no oxygen and violent decomprsion very funny
David Price (PCA) said: You know what Opsimath I believe we do Thanks for the spot
Opsimath said: Under 7 do you mean discrete rather than discreet