Executioner's song

On This American Life: "Host Ira Glass talks with a veteran Human Resources administrator about what it's like to fire people, and why it helps if you don't actually use the word 'fire.' "

(Click here to listen.)

Words of the year—office edition

The New Oxford American Dictionary's "Word of the Year" finalists include moofer (for "mobile out of office worker") and topless meeting (not what you think).

Time for a staycation!

Leap year

"Could some clever reader tell me what a quantum leap is and where I can see one performed? Who the chattering classes are and where I can listen to them? And what a learning curve is and how I can climb onto one?" —Counting My Chickens, by Deborah Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire

(Via Jenny)

"Deprotion"?

Ms. Logan will cover foreign affairs, international security issues and United States policy, somewhat filling the role of State Department correspondent, which has been vacant for years. On Wednesday Mr. McManus was hesitant to label the move a promotion, instead calling it “an expansion of her role and an opportunity to get her on our CBS broadcasts more often.” —NYT

Figure of speech

Overheard at work: ""...I'd really like to change it, but my hands are literally tied."

(Via Mollie, who also points out this crucial blog.)

Rock opera

“Be careful who you throw a rock at when you’re taking the higher ground,” he adds. “I think everybody tries to do the best they can with the cards they’re dealt. That’s about as many clichés as I can put together in one sentence.” —Lou Reed, talking about Berlin, in Financial Times

Got bandwidth?

More annoying office phrases.

(From Kiwa.)

Giving it 110%

"But then I have always been behind the curve; unable to step up to the plate..."

(Courtesy Jenny)