Definition

Either a vertical structural element holding things up, a vertical arrangement of data in a table, or a military formation of vehicles stretched along a road like soldiers following a map they definitely checked first. Context is everything.

Example Usage

The architect specified reinforced concrete columns to support the building's upper floors.

Source: General English Dictionary

Related Terms

Beginner

diversify

To sprinkle variety into something like you're seasoning a bland corporate strategy, making it more palatable by adding different elements, perspectives, or investment types. In business and finance, it's the sacred principle of not putting all your eggs in one basket—whether that's hiring practices, product lines, or stock portfolios. The grown-up version of "mix it up a little."

💼 Corporate / Business
Beginner

Touch Base

To have a brief, usually unnecessary conversation that could have been an email, which itself could have been nothing. Touching base is the corporate world's way of proving you still exist to your colleagues.

💼 Corporate / Business
Intermediate

TSJ

Total Success Job—business jargon shorthand for when something hits 100% of its metrics and performs flawlessly, the opposite of your last failed quarterly launch.

💼 Corporate / Business
Beginner

cover your ass (CYA)

The art of documenting everything and copying fifteen people on emails to ensure someone else takes the blame when things go sideways. Self-preservation disguised as thoroughness.

💼 Corporate / Business
Advanced

Domino Screw Job

A cascading revenge scenario where one betrayal triggers another in retaliation, creating a chain reaction of grievances. Named after the Baltimore Colts saga, it's essentially the Murphy's Law of vindictiveness—when screwing someone over inevitably leads to getting screwed yourself, which leads to someone else getting screwed, ad infinitum.

💼 Corporate / Business
Intermediate

Ideation

The act of coming up with ideas but making it sound like a sacred ritual requiring a facilitator, sticky notes, and at least one beanbag chair. It's brainstorming for people who think brainstorming isn't expensive-sounding enough.

💼 Corporate / Business

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See “column” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.

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