Are you tired of the buzzwords of 2012? While Lake Superior State University publishes its annual list of words to be banned from the English language, there are 12 more buzzwords just waiting to be overused in 2013.
If you’re looking for the edge at the next board meeting, or you want to show your boss how just one-step-ahead you are or if you are tired of getting pushed over the cliff or kicking the can down the road of words, this is the list you need to look super-smart. Yes, I’m here for you – ready to help you out and impart literary greatness to your life!
Advertainment: “Advertising is no longer about interrupting what people are interested in, it’s about being what people are interested in.”
You recognize this when you suddenly “shhh” everyone in the room to hear your favorite commercial. It’s crazy, but sometimes the commercials are the best part of a sporting event.
Phablets: A mixture of a smart phone and tablet. But can you fit this into your pocket?
Growth hacker: “A role that replaces traditional marketing roles in fast-growing businesses.” Don’t you normally go to jail for hacking? Social learning: “An individual’s learning a skill through observation, without necessarily changing their behaviors or on-the-job performance.” Back in the day, we called this “observing.”
Alphanista: “Successful women in powerful positions, having it all.” Just exactly what is “all,” and why would you want it? That just means you have to take care of it.
Acqui-hire: “A blend of acquired and hired.” I’m just not getting this one …
Return on involvement: A brand that “gets involved with their community will garner better return on their investment by getting involved hosting fundraisers, partnering with schools and giving the local residents a gathering spot.”
And here I thought we were supposed to just help out without worrying about any kind of return – silly me!
Inventreprenuers: “An entrepreneur-inventor hybrid that markets and/or manufactures their own creation.” So this person is smart and a dynamic persuader. Awesome combination!
Twinternship: “An internship where the student’s mission is to promote the company and its brands using social media such as Twitter and Facebook.” This just sounds awkward.
Wantrepreneur: Someone who hasn’t “taken all the steps necessary to take the leap” into entrepreneurship. A shorter word that’s easier to spell would be “lazy.”
Minergy: Someone who uses “minimal energy to get the task accomplished.” Again, another word for “lazy.”
Tri-ti-tasking: “Doing three things at once.” As if we don’t have enough stress in our lives, now we have to think about doing three things at once?
Make a mental note of these and start using them; you only have 356 days before we ban them from the language.
The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Those with questions or comments for Melissa Hart may write to her in care of this publication. |