Jargon

this rare specimen (only two reported usages in the wild) means to convene together to agree on a plan of action; evokes the practice of a huddling sports team forming a circle, with each member placing one hand in the…

to assert a point of view or take decisive action at a relatively early stage, where much remains unknown but a working hypothesis must be adopted for progress to be made, as in, “I know all the options are risky,…

to assess the quality of a particular idea or analysis by subjecting it to more intense scrutiny of some sort; derives from engineering, when the structural soundness or seaworthiness of a vessel is determined by applying atmospheric or liquid pressure…

(adjective) a word indicating that the referenced work or analysis is thorough or complete, perhaps by allusion to food that is fully prepared, as in, “You should hold off on releasing those projections until Brad has a chance to weigh…

(noun) a thing to, well, watch out for, as in “Are there any major watch-outs as we execute this plan?”; this catchall term refers to risks, obstacles, deficiencies, competitive threats, etc., but avoids referencing anything negative directly, favoring a more…

(adj.) a task or assignment that will be unglamorous and tedious but should nonetheless provide valuable development for the future, as in: “I know that counting transformers on light poles in Siberia doesn’t excite you, but this is really an…

a weakness, flaw, or shortcoming that should be rectified, usually by the subsequent suggestion; in strongly feedback-oriented cultures these can be highlighted with some regularity, so using this term shifts the focus away from failures and onto ways that an…

to ensure that numbers or facts are in agreement; clashes with the actual definition of the word, which is to determine or standardize the gradations of a measuring instrument according to a known benchmark, thus ensuring conformity to some objective…

an individual whose performance in a given area or success at specific endeavors is highly impressive, unique and/or admirable; this appellation is generally used sparingly, although the term is sometimes used frivolously to express purportedly extreme gratitude, as in: “Thanks…

to extricate one’s self from a difficult situation by essentially avoiding the conflict altogether; derives from the play in American football in which the offensive side opts to forego a final attempt at advancing the ball in favor of giving…