Exhibit:
Main Entry: syn·er·gy
Pronunciation: 'si-n&r-jE
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -gies
Etymology: New Latin synergia, from Greek synergos working together
1 : SYNERGISM; broadly : combined action or operation
2 : a mutually advantageous conjunction or compatibility of distinct business participants or elements (as resources or efforts)
Dear Webster Dictionary Editing Team,
I'm writing you today to cordially request that you remove the word "Synergy" from future publications and - if possible, please recall all dictionaries including this word. I'm sure that your literary goals were indeed noble through introducing this word to the english language but I fear that its continued misuse adversely affects society by supporting vague marketing communications that are eroding the sensibility of our civilization.
If you do not catch my meaning, simply search the marketing whitepaper for any enterprise software application. All such marketing releases are dervived from a single template, bestowed upon mankind by the Devil himself as a cruel joke:
What ABC v45 Can Do for your Business
Buzzword buzzword buzzword. Workflow, buzzword buzzword ROI buzzword buzzword technology buzzword. Company Name buzzword buzzword synergies buzzword buzzword Product Name. Buzzword buzzword Product Name buzzword buzzword synergy buzzword.
After eradicating this word from the english language, I plan to travel the nation on a $20 million taxpayer financed speaking tour aimed at returning marketing strategy to the glory days of the FlowBee. That's right, it plugs into a vacuum cleaner and cuts your hair. How sweetly concise.
Bill