Barbecues, cocktail parties, weddings—they’re back. Let the games begin! After chatting with someone at a party, I used to whisper to my wife, “That guy’s going to be out of a job in six months.” It annoyed her so much that I switched to, “I can name that profession in just one or two words.” You can play along.
You’re in a social scrum and someone is babbling on about who-knows-what but keeps using the word “balance,” as in “we need to find a balance.” I’ll bet you dollars to doughnuts that person is a lawyer. In fact, if I had a nickel for every time a lawyer says “find a balance,” I could actually afford a lawyer.
People use certain words so often that they serve as a tell about what they do for a living. And, yes, anyone who uses the word “tell” clearly plays too much poker. My ears are sensitive to word clues. I hear “leverage” in casual conversation, even if the context doesn’t involve money, and I can tell the person is in private equity or maybe real estate. Private-equity folks are usually better dressed.
It’s fun to play! Some words are giveaways. “Covers” is a restaurateur. When you hear “hands on” it’s probably a doctor or a Hollywood producer. Marketing folks leave an impression by always talking about “impressions.” Someone droning on about “bugs”? That’s either a software coder or a farmer, so check his fingernails, Sherlock. Last year, the cockiest person in the room was the startup founder, who this year is nervously whispering “help” as funding has dried up.
Financial types are easy to spot. Hear “quota” and it’s usually someone in sales. In rare instances, it might be someone in college admissions. If you also hear “holistic”—voilà, admissions. Hear “round” and unless the speaker is buying one or bragging about golf exploits, it’s probably a venture capitalist. “Deal” means investment banker or again, if shabbily dressed, a realtor. “Externalities”? Duh, an economist.
You already have enough to win this cocktail-party game, but here’s some inside scoop.
