# Quit using "Going forward" **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 7, 2008, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quit-using-going-forward/448438 "2008-05-07T15:45:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![neutron\_star](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/51bf81/32.png) [@neutron\_star](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neutron_star)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2008, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quit-using-going-forward/448438/41 "2008-05-08T00:10:16Z")
[QUOTE=wolfman] Ping is a very simple and useful unix program that checkes only if a different computer is reachable and alive. Nothing else, no message, no value transmitted, just alive. It can occasionally make since in human interaction. for example “I heard there was a big Earthquake in California, But I pinged mom before the phone cut off”. You determined she was reachable and alive and nothing else. [/QUOTE] [It’s also a duck.](http://www.amazon.com/Story-About-Ping-Marjorie-Flack/dp/0140502416). 😃 The first user review of that book is such a timeless classic. > [@](#): > > The book describes networking in terms even a child could understand, choosing to anthropomorphize the underlying packet structure. The ping packet is described as a duck, who, with other packets (more ducks), spends a certain period of time on the host machine (the wise-eyed boat). At the same time each day (I suspect this is scheduled under cron), the little packets (ducks) exit the host (boat) by way of a bridge (a bridge). ---
**Author:** ![diggleblop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ac91a4/32.png) [@diggleblop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/diggleblop)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2008, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quit-using-going-forward/448438/42 "2008-05-08T00:34:07Z")
I hate the “ok, moving right along…” people. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2008, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quit-using-going-forward/448438/43 "2008-05-08T00:48:41Z")
[QUOTE=lissener] \*Monster, demonstrate, \* and \*muster \*trace their meanings back to the same [root word](http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=monstrum&searchmode=none). Language changes; a word that began with one meaning ends up being associated with others, and evolves. \*Ping \*is a great example. (Though I admit it would annoy me too, as being aggressively faux-hip.) [/QUOTE] [Monstrance](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monstrance), too. When I was a kid, raised in the Methodist Church and fascinated by monsters, I learned with utter fascination that there was a “monstrance” on view down the street at the Catholic church during Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (whatever that meant). I used to ride my bike down there and peek through the doors, in hope of seeing a real live monstrance, but apparently they’d always put it back in its cage before I got there, because all you could see was this big golden cross-like thingie with a white wafer stuck at the point where the four arms czme together. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![lizardling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f4b2a3/32.png) [@lizardling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lizardling)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2008, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quit-using-going-forward/448438/44 "2008-05-08T00:52:33Z")
“Going forward” is, to me, an acknowledgement that We Didn’t Do It This Way Before, and that we’re instituting a process change. The one that really chaps me is the “reach out to XYZ”. Use “talk to,” goddammit. The same person who did this is the one who \*always \* said “yet” instead of “but”. _scream_ ---
**Author:** ![Can\_Handle\_the\_Truth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Can\_Handle\_the\_Truth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Can_Handle_the_Truth)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2008, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quit-using-going-forward/448438/45 "2008-05-08T01:06:16Z")
A few years ago when I was really into following the stock market, I had CNBC on all day. Those guys used “Going Forward” so often that I suspected they’d gotten some memo ordering them to insert a GF in every sentence. I thought it was an attempt to get people’s minds off the crappy state of the markets at that time. ---
**Author:** ![catsix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e19b73/32.png) [@catsix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/catsix)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2008, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quit-using-going-forward/448438/46 "2008-05-08T01:23:27Z")
> [@](#): > > **lissener** said: > Is your use of the above acronyms meant to be ironic? Because you realize it’s exactly the same type of subculture-specific jargon that you’re decrying, right? Unless I am making fun of someone who has a masters degree in corporate-speak, I almost never use terms like LART or DIAF. I also never use any term like that more than once in a five minute period. I have heard my boss use the word ‘leverage’ as in ‘leverage that resource’ more than ten times within five minutes. It becomes physically painful very quickly to listen to corporate-speak. We used to play bullshit bingo during meetings, but the games were ending too quickly. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2008, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quit-using-going-forward/448438/47 "2008-05-08T01:46:51Z")
I work in engineering R&D. If I hear the term _ **nano** _-fiber, _ **nano** _-scale, or _ **nano** _-technology one more time, I’m gonna go ballistic. ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2008, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quit-using-going-forward/448438/48 "2008-05-08T02:18:47Z")
[QUOTE=lizardling] “Going forward” is, to me, an acknowledgement that We Didn’t Do It This Way Before, and that we’re instituting a process change. [/quote] It’s still a Pointy-Haired Bossesque way of saying that. “From here on” works just as well and doesn’t sound like something out a Dilbert cartoon, IMHO. > [@](#): > > The one that really chaps me is the “reach out to XYZ”. Use “talk to,” goddammit. The same person who did this is the one who \*always \* said “yet” instead of “but”. _scream_ As I said to the last Suit From Head Office who used this term: “The Salvation Army and St. Vinnies “Reach Out” to people. I talk to them, or E-mail them. Unless we’ve started selling electronics exclusively to the homeless, deprived, abused, and neglected, that is- in which case none of us should be paying taxes on our incomes since we’d arguably be a charitable organisation at that point.” ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2008, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quit-using-going-forward/448438/49 "2008-05-08T02:41:19Z")
[QUOTE=Really Not All That Bright] Yeah, but there are all sorts of X and X-type phrases in English in which the second word is redundant (with apologies to Bill Bryson): cease and desist, spick and span, kith and kin, aid and abet… [/QUOTE] will and testament… I have been told that that type of phrasing is a result of the Norman invasion of England; words from Saxon and French roots were both used in legal writings to ensure repetition and tautology … no, to ensure everyone understood. Re: “Going forward” In my experience, the term indicates that all bickering and blame-storming is over, and a decision has been made. It’s a very useful term when one wants to turn the focus to the actions/procedures/processes and away from the individual [who may or may not have been following the old procedures]. I like it; it’s a very nice way to say, ‘Shut up’ and end the meeting. ---
**Author:** ![Annie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/858c86/32.png) [@Annie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2008, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quit-using-going-forward/448438/50 "2008-05-08T05:04:14Z")
-In future -from now on -starting tomorrow -now -henceforth (if you really need a $5 word) Or for those very special occasions where someone is over-dwelling and needs a-kill’n: The horse is dead. Fuck it or walk away, but quit beating it. ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2008, 10:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quit-using-going-forward/448438/51 "2008-05-08T10:10:24Z")
I’m too busy leveraging my core competencies. ---
**Author:** ![muttrox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a8b319/32.png) [@muttrox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muttrox)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2008, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quit-using-going-forward/448438/52 "2008-05-08T13:36:52Z")
I use going forward rather frequently. I also use going backwards. They are different concepts and the point is too distinguish one from the other. I fail to see the problem. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2008, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quit-using-going-forward/448438/53 "2008-05-08T13:56:35Z")
[QUOTE=Scissorjack] I’m too busy leveraging my core competencies. [/QUOTE] Sure, but are you actualizing your potential by thinking outside the box? ---
**Author:** ![Figaro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ea666f/32.png) [@Figaro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Figaro)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2008, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quit-using-going-forward/448438/54 "2008-05-08T14:15:09Z")
[QUOTE=Q.E.D.] Sure, but are you actualizing your potential by thinking outside the box? [/QUOTE] No, but I am driving solutions to the marketplace by delivering a compelling value proposition to my customers. ---
**Author:** ![catsix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e19b73/32.png) [@catsix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/catsix)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2008, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quit-using-going-forward/448438/55 "2008-05-08T15:58:20Z")
Is it required that you take a course in how to sound like a douchebag to become a manager? No matter where I go, someone with ‘manager’ or ‘vice president’ or ‘executive’ in their title is using this ridiculous words that mean nothing to talk for hours yet say nothing. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2008, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quit-using-going-forward/448438/56 "2008-05-08T16:08:00Z")
[QUOTE=catsix] Is it required that you take a course in how to sound like a douchebag to become a manager? No matter where I go, someone with ‘manager’ or ‘vice president’ or ‘executive’ in their title is using this ridiculous words that mean nothing to talk for hours yet say nothing. [/QUOTE] You sound bitter. Passed over for a promotion too many times? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![catsix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e19b73/32.png) [@catsix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/catsix)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2008, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quit-using-going-forward/448438/57 "2008-05-08T16:13:43Z")
[quote] **QED** said: You sound bitter. Passed over for a promotion too many times? [quote] Actually, I’m an engineer. My attitude toward management is not only expected, but often encouraged. The more surly I am toward weenies in suits, the more money they keep giving me. I think it was the fact that I actually laughed out loud when the not-British management weenie here said ‘pro sess eez’ that got me a promotion a couple months ago. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2008, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quit-using-going-forward/448438/58 "2008-05-08T16:17:03Z")
I’ve known people who are both; in fact, the current president of the company I work for is an engineer. I can only assume these sorts are held together by some sort of degeneracy pressure or some as-yet-undiscovered fifth fundamental force. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2008, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quit-using-going-forward/448438/59 "2008-05-08T16:31:56Z")
[QUOTE=Polycarp] [Monstrance](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monstrance), too. When I was a kid, raised in the Methodist Church and fascinated by monsters, I learned with utter fascination that there was a “monstrance” on view down the street at the Catholic church during Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (whatever that meant). I used to ride my bike down there and peek through the doors, in hope of seeing a real live monstrance, but apparently they’d always put it back in its cage before I got there, because all you could see was this big golden cross-like thingie with a white wafer stuck at the point where the four arms czme together. 😃 [/QUOTE] Hee. Our church’s was a lot like [this](http://www.marianbooksandgifts.com/images/CGmonstrance.gif)–VERY impressive when we were kids going to the Stations. ---
**Author:** ![Sarahfeena](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarahfeena/32/519_2.png) [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2008, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quit-using-going-forward/448438/60 "2008-05-08T16:34:20Z")
[QUOTE=Diogenes the Cynic] Another phrase I find irritating and pointless is “price point.” Just say “price.” It’s the same thing. Tacking a “point” onto the end of it is redundant and pretentious. [/QUOTE] Bunch of people beat me to this one. > [@](#): > > I also hate “at the end of the day,” and “step up.” The reason you hate these is because you are a reality TV watcher. I’ll bet “at the end of the day” is said at least 5 times in every boardroom on The Apprentice. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quit-using-going-forward/448438.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quit-using-going-forward/448438.md?page=4)