I often deliberately mis-pronounce words like paradigm. You sure your boss doesn’t have my sense of humor?
I took a course in writing once upon a time in which the professor suggested various ways of keeping the interest of the reader. One of these methods was to write lengthy sentences, full of complex phrases and clauses, then end with a very short, almost abrupt sentence.
When I end a lengthy explanation of something, I almost always end by giving a sigh and saying, “It’s madness!”
It almost always elicits laughter or sympathy… and, now my coworkers have started saying it.
We also have an unpleasant area in which various unpleasant items are securely stored. It used to have a long, unpleasant name. When I started referring to it as the “Gated Community”, it was clearly a joke, but the term has stuck. Now, it’s exclusive and with entry comes rank & status. Perception really is more important than reality.
I’ve gotten my small group of co-workers to answer the phone with “ahoy” when we know it’s one of the group calling.
mmm
Nice. You should try “heaven-o” as one bunch of religious nuts did some time back, so as not to have to say “hell-o.”
My friends and I have started and ended all phone conversations with “yep” for many years. Comrades at work have heard me do this, and suddenly start answering their phones with a hearty “yep.” It’s nice.
Another thing I like to do when I move to a new department is start referring to people by their last names. It’s fun to see how much it catches on. Generally, people seem to enjoy it. I think it brings to mind the military, or maybe sports teams.
“Kerfuffle”, which the team I work on routinely finds ourselves embroiled in.
Oh, and “embroiled”.