It seems as if business people can't wait to invent new words, or at least combine regular words in confusing ways: paradigm shift, white paper, operational excellence, etc. Paradigm Shift was a big one a few years ago, every idea qualified, no matter how small it was. "I propose we use green pens, rather than red ones." "Why, that's a paradigm shift from our current corporate culture." White Paper's been around for a while, but that doesn't mean it makes any more sense. First of all, most white paper's aren't even written on paper. Secondly, a white paper could theoretically be printed on yellow stock, couldn't it. Do we need to call that a Yellow Paper? Or better yet, why not just call it a report?

The list goes on. In fact, I'm going to list my list here.

• 30,000 foot level
• baselined (no more changes can be made to a project)
• circle back
• course correction
• deck (presentation on paper, e.g. printed powerpoint file)
• "lights on" initiatives (I really have no idea what this one means)
• off-line
• paradigm shift
• parking lot (section of notes depicting items that need to be addressed later)
• realized risks (really means resolved risks!)
• reverse angle (from someone's point of view)
• take-away
• triage
• whiteboard discussion
• white paper

I'm sure there are more. Which ones have you heard? Feel free to add any I may have missed.