Buzz sessions/ buzzword

Posted by ESC on May 16, 2003

In Reply to: Buzz words - Bingo! posted by ESC on May 15, 2003

: : : : I have often sat through corporate meetings and marvelled at some people's ability to deliver a discourse consisting entirely of buzz words and phrases, but managing to avoid saying anything at all. In some respects I consider this to be quite a skill, albeit a complete waste of our time.

: : : : So does anyone know the origin of 'buzz word'?

: : : I don't know the origin but you might like to entertain yourself and others at your next meeting by playing Buzzword Bingo. From the site below, you can print a bingo card with a 5x5 grid. Each square contains a buzzword. Mark each one you hear and when you have five across, down or diagonally, shout 'Bingo!!' and wave your card in the air.

: : : isd.usc.edu/ ~karl/Bingo/

: : : Ha ha, with some of the dropkicks I've worked with, I'd never get through some of the meetings without repeatedly shouting 'Bingo'!

: : Thanks

: I'll look up "buzzword" when I get home to my library. But to keep you occupied until then, here's another related Web site. www.buzzwhack.com/

BUZZWORD - "A buzzword, the term dating back to about 1965, is a word or phrase that sounds authoritative or technical and is in vogue in a particular profession or field of study." From the Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins by Robert Hendrickson (Facts on File, New York, 1997). Buzz session/ buzz word - "A few years ago the expression 'buzz session' was very big among educational groups. Programs for organizations like the American Library Association and the National Council of Teachers of English regularly scheduled 'buzz sessions,' involving several 'discussants,' and usually following a lecture or panel program. They amounted to little more than verbal post-mortems on the subjects previously discussed. 'Buzz,' then was taken over from the private jargon of the educators and now seems to be used as synonymous with 'in' - that is a 'buzz word' is one known to and used by specialists in communications..." From the Morris Dictionary of Word and Phrase Origins by William and Mary Morris (HarperCollins, New York, 1977, 1988).