Reach out: Difference between revisions

From The Jolly Contrarian
Jump to navigation Jump to search
No edit summary
No edit summary
Line 1: Line 1:
An expression confected by well-meaning [[management consultant]]s as a way of saying “speak to” while conveying an insincere tone of compassion and self-sacrifice on the part of the person uttering it, as if the act of “reaching out” will magically gladden the reachee’s working day, and not compound her already significant existential despair:  
{{pe}}An expression confected by well-meaning [[management consultant]]s as a way of saying “speak to” while conveying an insincere tone of compassion and self-sacrifice on the part of the person uttering it, as if the act of “reaching out” will magically gladden the reachee’s working day, and not compound her already significant existential despair:  


:''“I will [[reach out]] to [[relevant]] team to complete the action points, prepare a final [[change management|change]] impact document, seek approval from entity responsible officer. From there, we’ll execute the task list. I will keep this group posted on the development.”''<ref>This is a real, unedited, example. No art could imitate life that exquisitely.</ref>
:''“I will [[reach out]] to [[relevant]] team to complete the action points, prepare a final [[change management|change]] impact document, seek approval from entity responsible officer. From there, we’ll execute the task list. I will keep this group posted on the development.”''<ref>This is a real, unedited, example. No art could imitate life that exquisitely.</ref>
Line 8: Line 8:
*“[[reach out]] and touch”  
*“[[reach out]] and touch”  
*“[[reach out]] and [[connect with]]”
*“[[reach out]] and [[connect with]]”
{{published}}
 
{{ref}}
{{ref}}
{{c2|Egg|Buzzverb}}
{{c2|Egg|Buzzverb}}

Revision as of 16:01, 29 November 2019

Towards more picturesque speech
SEC guidance on plain EnglishIndex: Click to expand:
Tell me more
Sign up for our newsletter — or just get in touch: for ½ a weekly 🍺 you get to consult JC. Ask about it here.

An expression confected by well-meaning management consultants as a way of saying “speak to” while conveying an insincere tone of compassion and self-sacrifice on the part of the person uttering it, as if the act of “reaching out” will magically gladden the reachee’s working day, and not compound her already significant existential despair:

“I will reach out to relevant team to complete the action points, prepare a final change impact document, seek approval from entity responsible officer. From there, we’ll execute the task list. I will keep this group posted on the development.”[1]

Users of this expression should tread carefully, as one can over-extend the metaphor. An unfortunate lady managing director in New York once offered to “reach around” a group of operations personnel in London, and was surprised with the enthusiasm with which her offer was taken up.

Dismaying variations:

References

  1. This is a real, unedited, example. No art could imitate life that exquisitely.