Most popular and annoying Singaporean corporate jargon in 2024

About 85% of respondents admitted to using corporate jargon regularly in the workplace, with the most annoying terms including "saikang warrior", "kena arrowed", and "wayang".

In a country filled with diverse people and cultures, slangs are undoubtedly becoming a part of the everyday language we speak. This includes the usage of slangs in formal places like the workplace.

A survey done by Preply recorded the responses of 1,500 Singaporean employees on their thoughts on slangs, how often they use it, most popular slangs used among Gen Zs and the most disliked slangs in the workplace.

Data revealed that 95% of Singaporeans use Singlish slang in one way or another with 33% of them use it in majority of their conversations with their peers. Meanwhile, 70% of them say that they also use slangs that are more commonly spoken among Gen Zs and their top five main reasons for doing so are:

1. To communicate quickly (35%)
2. It is popular/common (19%)
3. To express feelings (19%)
4. To fit in (11%)
5. To sound cool (5%)

The creation of Gen Z slangs requires a whole other level of understanding as they evolve and follow the internet trends. A list of Gen Z slangs has been gathered by respondents who think that it could be used easily in a sentence are as follows:

1. Slay: To do a spectacular job (35.15%)
2. Sus: Suspicious (30.76%)
3. G.O.A.T.: Greatest of all time (27.43%)
4. Salty: Being upset over something little (26.03%)
5. Spilling tea: Sharing gossip (25.77%)
6. Flex: To show off (22.70%)
7. Simp: Doing way too much for someone they like (22.50%)
8. Cap: Lying
9. Shook: Surprised/shocked (21.50%)
10. Situationship: A romantic/sexual relationship that is unclear/undefined (20.84%)
11. Rizz: Charisma (20.11%)

Findings have also shown that Singaporeans’ attitudes towards the usage of slangs are mainly positive with 65% of them agreeing that it is suitable to use it in casual settings like at home or to connect with younger individuals in the household. When they hear people using slangs in conversations, 37% of them do not think much of it while 35% of them feel that it makes the speaker seem young and 20% think that the person is cool.

While most results were positive, a small percentage of 15% still see slangs as a cringey way to communicate while 21% of them find it annoying when someone is using it in a conversation.

In a corporate setting, slangs can also be known as corporate jargon. Among the 1,001 Singaporeans surveyed, 85% of employees admitted that they use it regularly. However, only 16% of them do so often as the remaining 74% feel that using slang in the workplace is inappropriate. Among the respondents who use corporate jargon in the office, they share the top words that give them the ‘ick’:

Most corporate jargon can be seen in job listings as well, likely due to the fact that it is part of the workplace culture, or the organisation is making an attempt to come across as relatable to the candidates. Applicants reveal their honest opinions towards such languages used in the listings as such:

The buzzword “thick skin” was recorded to be the most annoying corporate buzzword (35%) in listings for people as it suggests a negative perception of resilience expectations. On the other hand, the term “hybrid working” was the least annoying (9%) buzzword, possibly highlighting the positive shift towards flexible work arrangements – a factor which people are looking out in future job applications.

As Gen Zs enter the workforce, their usage of slangs has also found its way to blend into the environment with the top ten most used buzzwords being:

1. Bro
2. Sus
3. Vibe
4. Facts
5. Basic
6. G.O.A.T.
7. Slay
8. None of the above
9. Cancel
10. Period

The most and least annoying Gen Z buzzwords have also been collated as follows:

“Delulu” falls first in the rank for the most annoying Gen Z buzzword which is a description of someone who is delusional or overly optimistic. The term is more often considered to be annoying as it usually refers to someone being unrealistic with their ideas, making the receiving end feel offended. Meanwhile “bet” is the least annoying buzzword as it is mainly used to agree or affirm a statement. With the word being a straight-to-the-point phrase that uses an existing language, it is more likely to be well liked as it is easier to understand.

Though slangs and corporate jargon may seem unprofessional or inappropriate to some, it shows the cross-cultural bridge it has formed within the country for people of diverse backgrounds to obtain a common understanding for a singular term or phrase when communicating. Looking at it in a more positive light, perhaps the use of slangs and corporate jargon will allow more individuals to communicate seamlessly through this shared language that has been created on their own.

READ MORE: Most annoying office ‘icks’ – can people be fired for these?

Lead image/ 123rf

Infographics/ Preply