10 words millennials use that makes their boss cringe

You don't want your lexis to undermine your abilities and affect your professional reputation. (Shutterstock)

When in conversation within earshot of your boss, or when sending an email to your superiors, you are going to want to avoid these informal words.

Using less than professional language at work could jeopardise your career progression. While it may be fun and easy to chat to your friends using the terms listed below, it is anything but fun for your superiors to hear those same words.

There are a few terms that make your boss think you're disrespectful, disillusioned, and immature. Rather take care, and keep these words outside the office, where they are appreciated a lot more.

In the office

1. Like Literally

Even though literally has officially changed according to Merriam-Webster, it still sounds a little immature and unprofessional.

millennial language

2. Man, guy, bru, chomma, etc.

I know you’d like to believe it, but your boss is not your bestie. So refrain from using language that compromises her authority. Well, unless you’re surfing buddies outside work hours, dude.

3. LOL

This is not an acronym you want to say out loud. If it whatever was said, really was funny, you’d be laughing, not saying 'lawl'. Also, a smile indicates the exact same message anyway - or just say ‘that’s hilarious!’

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4. Dope, kwaai, or rad

Here are a few adjectives to describe anything that's better than nice instead. Being part of the tech-savvy generation, you can Google another few synonyms on your own.

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5. @#$%^&

Even if your boss is cool and swears regularly. You shouldn’t. It’s not okay to swear.

In emails:

1. Gonna

This includes wanna (want to), lemme (let me), and watchu (what do you) and the like too. You can say it but you definitely shouldn’t type it.

2. Yep, Yeah, or Ya

You should use real words such as Yes, Sure, I will, I agree, etc.

Read: Bad email habits that make you look dumb

3. Yoh

While it is okay to say this out loud, it is still considered too informal to include in a written message to your boss.

4. Uhm, mxm, psssst or shhhh...

This is not a poem or prose. There’s no need for onomatopoeic words. Get straight to the point concisely and eloquently.

5. #

Unless you are sending your boss a tweet or Instagram post to approve, there is no reason why you should hashtag anything.

This is NOT something you want to send to your boss:

millennial


Otherwise, you really might be gifted a dictionary and office etiquette kit from your Secret Santa next Festive Season.

To summarise: Use real words in a way that matches the definition.

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