In this somewhat satirical bonus [_Junior Dev Diaries_](http://www.samjarman.co.nz/diaries) post, I want to cover office/tech/workplace jargon and terms. Most of these were completely new to me, and too often now I find myself using them fluently, and for that, I hate myself.

#### The Terms

**Across It** — This means understand it after looking at it for a while. Example _“Oh, I’m not across that new work that Jane did on the project yet”._

**Catch Up** — Have a conversation. “_I’d like to catch up next week to discuss the project”_

**Check In** — Have a conversation. _“I’d like to check in next week to discuss the project”_

**Touch Base** — Have a conversation, but you want to be a creep about it. _“I’d like to touch base next week to discuss the project”_

**Push Back** — You didn’t get your way, sometimes with a reason. _“They pushed back on that approach, they wanted us to find a cheaper way”._

**Challenge It/You** — Tell you you’re wrong, maybe with reasons. Usually for your own benefit or your arguments benefit (you may not have explained it right). _“I might just challenge you on that, what if we used a 3rd party solution instead?”_

**Scope** — The work to do, and what you don’t need to do. “_Oh that’s out of scope.”_

**Deliverable** — The _things_ that are outputs of the work, such as code or a document. _“Can you add the documentation to the project deliverables? Ta!”_

**Value Add** — The positive impact you add to the company or product. _“Yeah, but what’s the value add here? I dont know if the new client will benefit from that!?”_

**Pair** — Work together on something, because two people will make it go faster…right? _“I’ll pair with you on that document”._

**Conscious Of** — Stressing out about something, but a bit more calmly. Something might be bugging them and it’s bugging them that it’s not bugging you. _“I’m conscious of the time left on the project and the remaining deliverables do be done. How can I help?”_

**Make a Case** — Forming a coherent argument for something that isn’t trivial. _“That idea sounds great, Sam. I’ll get you to make a case for it at the next meeting.”_

**Go Live** — When something is being released to the public. Nothing to do with a biological heartbeat. _“The new health and safety legislation is going live next week — you’ll see press about it…”_

**Challenges** — The stuff we need to figure out but we’re trying to stay positive about it. “Brad, I’m keen to hear about the challenges a two new team members will bring!”

**Opportunities** — False hope of benefits by the under-informed. _“I’m really excited by the opportunities Artificial Intelligence will bring to our company”_

**In This Space** — Sentance sugar for _“here”_ that makes you sound so much smarter. Often combined with previous jargon. _“I’m really excited about cryptocurrency. There’s a lot of opportunity in this space.”_

**Fall out** – Failing on a commitment but trying to get away with it. Somewhat of a “basket of deliverables” metaphor I think? _“I’m afraid that the video feature will probably fall out of this sprint.”_

**Descoping** – Failing on a commitment but trying to get away with it. _“I’m afraid that the video feature will probably be descoped for this task.”_

So that’s a few terms to start learning and using around the office. You can mix and mash them too. Get creative. How many can you jam into a single phrase? Remember, _the smarter you sound, the better you are_. Think about it — If you’re not both translating in and out of this corporate wankery — are you _really_ working?

Better living everyone.

Thanks to my good friends in my life who I have a bit of a laugh about this with every now and then. They helped me form this most wonderful list. ❤

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