From ‘touch base’ to ‘run it up the flagpole’, many offices are riddled with workplace words and phrases.
If you’re confused by this jargon, you’re probably Gen Z.
That’s according to a new analysis by Preply, which has revealed the classic office words and phrases that this generation no longer understands.
Experts from the online language learning app analysed Google search data to find out the office terms Gen Z are most baffled by.
Their results reveal that ‘synergy’ tops the list, with 40,500 searches by confused youngsters every month.
‘These words might sound impressive, but they’re not always clear,’ said Anna Pyshna, spokesperson for Preply.
‘Gen Z tends to prefer language that says exactly what it means.
‘If someone has to Google a phrase during the workday, it’s probably not doing its job.’
From ‘touch base’ to ‘run it up the flagpole’, many offices are riddled with workplace words and phrases. If you’re confused by this jargon, you’re probably Gen Z (stock image)
While ‘synergy’ is by far the most–searched buzzword, this was closely followed by ‘paradigm’, which has over 27,000 searches every month.
In joint third place are ‘bandwidth’ and ‘best practice’, which both receive 6,600 monthly searches.
Instead of using these classic words and phrases, Gen Z are crafting their own new language in the office, according to Preply.
As part of their study, the team provided 10 Gen Z office workers with definitions for common corporate phrases and asked how they would naturally express the same ideas.
The results revealed that the participants consistently chose more literal wording.
Instead of ‘circle back’, Gen Z prefer ‘come back’, while ‘synergy’ can be replaced with ‘teamwork’.
Rather than saying ‘bandwidth’, youngsters suggest ‘availability’, while a ‘quick win’ is easier for this generation to understand than ‘low hanging fruit’.
According to Ms Pyshna, this is all part of a cultural shift.
Experts rom the online language learning app analysed Googlesearch data to find out the office terms Gen Z are most baffled by. Their results reveal that ‘synergy’ tops the list, with 40,500 searches by confused youngsters every month
‘Every generation updates workplace language to match how they communicate in everyday life,’ she explained.
‘Right now, Gen Z is pushing work talk to sound more like real conversation.’
Gen Z’s preference for simple language may be linked to their reliance on instant messaging and social platforms.
‘Corporate jargon that once sounded polished can now feel awkward or out of place in digital conversations,’ Ms Pyshna added.
‘This isn’t about lowering standards, but about cutting through unnecessary language.
‘As Gen Z gains influence at work, offices are starting to sound more like real conversations than boardroom scripts.’
The news comes shortly after a survey revealed how once–popular terms for sex are being consigned to history.
‘How’s–your–father’ tops the list, with 80 per cent of Gen Z admitting they’ve never used the expression.
‘Hanky–panky’ leaves 67 per cent baffled, while almost half (48 per cent) say they’ve never used the word ‘nookie’.
In contrast, Gen Z’s favourite slang for sex is now ‘smash’, according to the survey.
‘Our research shows just how much language evolves and changes, and over relatively short periods of time,’ said Harriet Scott, founder and CEO of Perspectus Global.
‘Terms for sex or sexual activity, have often relied on euphemisms, slang or metaphor, as to talk directly about the act itself is taboo.’
