Office Acronyms

1. A2O (Apples to Oranges): A comparison of opposite things. "I think we should ignore Gruberman’s suggestion; the analysis is totally A2O."

2. B2B (Business to Business): Marketing speak for a business supplying another business, as opposed to consumers or government. "They're strictly B2B, so you won't find their products in retail stores."

3. BHNC (Big Hat, No Cattle): Adapted from cowboy parlance. Used to describe someone who is all talk and no action. Has also been used to describe someone who is full of self importance, and/or a poser. "She brags about her 'fabulous' job all the time, but she's BHNC."

4. CLM (Career Limiting Move): A move that blocks your career path, or gets you fired, as in: "Wow, he made a real CLM when he showed up an hour late for the big pitch meeting."

5. CTD (Circling the Drain): Something that is on its last breath and about to die. This term is possibly related to disposing of a dead pet goldfish. "We all know the project is CTD, so most of us have started looking for new jobs."

6. FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt): A marketing tactic used by companies (often computer related), FUD is used to scare consumers into staying with their product instead of trying the competitor's new product. "You could go with Company B, but their servers might crash on you."

7. MEGO (My Eyes Glazed Over): A sign of extreme boredom. "I had a serious case of MEGO after that accounting presentation."

8. PEBCAK (Problem Exists Between Chair and Keyboard): Tech speak used when the problem is the user not the equipment. "I took a look at her machine and it's clearly a PEBCAK situation," said technician.

9. PURE (Previously Undiscovered Recruiting Error): A new employee who isn't working out as well as expected; an employee who looked good on paper but isn't cutting it on the job. "The new assistant buyer is definitely PURE. Her qualifications are stellar, but she's so rude!"

10. WIIFM (What's In It for Me?): A key question in communication. People aren't going to be interested in hearing your pitch if they can't see what's in it for them. "Jones completely failed to sell the new PR campaign. The client just didn't see the WIIFM factor in his pitch."