Invented phrases

[robjh]

Let me take this wonderful opportunity!

"Agile" is a Load of Twattery.

Why any fool thought a software development methodology should be used for anything other than software development would be beyond me, if I didnt know it's because 'any fool' is an idiot.

I wasn't intending to disagree with that sentiment. Just whether it's 'invented slang' or not.

 

[Tin Pot]

I wasn't intending to disagree with that sentiment. Just whether it's 'invented slang' or not.

Yes, the correct invented slang is actual frAgile project management.

 

[Profpointy]

Let me take this wonderful opportunity!

"Agile" is a Load of Twattery.

Why any fool thought a software development methodology should be used for anything other than software development would be beyond me, if I didnt know it's because 'any fool' is an idiot.

umm, are you saying "agile" is twattery for software development? That would be a very bold claim

 

[Tin Pot]

umm, are you saying "agile" is twattery for software development? That would be a very bold claim

...have you read my whole post?

... other than software development ...

 

[Profpointy]

...have you read my whole post?

well the first line seemed to be covering everything, and may or may not contradict the "other than" line.

clarity and precision are important in software development, "agile" or traditional. :-)

 

[Tin Pot]

well the first line seemed to be covering everything, and may or may not contradict the "other than" line.

clarity and precision are important in software development, "agile" or traditional. :-)

Submit me a spec with FRs and NFRs along with their sponsor and justification, and I'll write you a post that's fit for purpose.

 

[steveindenmark]

"You lot could cause an arguement in an empty house"

How fitting for this post.

 

[Profpointy]

Submit me a spec with FRs and NFRs along with their sponsor and justification, and I'll write you a post that's fit for purpose.

ah but we're doing this thread as an agile project, so we don't do all that up front

 

[Tin Pot]

ah but we're doing this thread as an agile project, so we don't do all that up front

Quite right, I thought you'd want a fit for purpose post, rather than something that by all apparent logic should be and yet is a seemingly random collection of words, each of which were desired but as a whole are completely unintelligible.

I love it when people use Agile to avoid knowing what or why they are doing something.
"So, can anyone tell me what the business objective is?"
"Don't need that, this is an Agile project."

But we digress!

 

[Profpointy]

Quite right, I thought you'd want a fit for purpose post, rather than something that by all apparent logic should be and yet is a seemingly random collection of words, each of which were desired but as a whole are completely unintelligible.

I love it when people use Agile to avoid knowing what or why they are doing something.
"So, can anyone tell me what the business objective is?"
"Don't need that, this is an Agile project."

But we digress!

indeed "agile" can mean a flexible, but very discplined method of software develipment or a BS excuse for a shambles.

Saw the latter once, ironically a project sponsored by our Project Office to introduce a project management tool.

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

'Dry As Old Rope'

Used by my mother-in-law, when inspecting potted plants etc...

I've never heard anyone else use it

'Dry as a bone', 'dry as a desert', maybe but rope...............

 

[BrumJim]

.

Scott Adams (of Dilbert fame) describes a secretary mishearing the salesman's adage "don't sell past the close" as "don't sell plastic clothes" inferring the plausable meaning of not trying to sell daft products. They liked it enough to leave it it the sales guidance
"

Aside from merino (and other types of wool), bamboo, flax and cotton, aren't most clothes plastic?

 

[marzjennings]

No, I assure you they are all recognised terms in project management, eg. here, from Agile :
View attachment 104790
As they are used in formal contexts by large numbers of people they are definitely not slang. As for invented, well yes of course they are, like every new phrase in a specialised field, so that is saying nothing.
Of course, you may personally think that what they refer to is a load of ***** (and who's to say you are wrong?), but that's another matter.

I know exactly where these words come from and how they are used. 20 years ago we were ok with just a morning development meeting, now it's a bleedin scrum. Nothing new, just some entrepreneur's idea to take existing practices, wrap it in invented slang and jargon, and then charge hundreds for the privilege of learning that a spade is now called an earth moving device. I'm fine with new phrases for new things, I balk at new phrases for things that have been around for years.

Don't get me started on cloud or fecking SaaS.

 

[Electric_Andy]

It's looking a bit black over the back of Bill's mother's!

(In this case, it actually DOES - the weather is not so good here today, and my mate Bill's mum lives nearby, but the phrase is used in places where she does NOT live! )

This is a genuine OMG moment. A colleague's Mother used to say the phrase "it's looking a bit black over Bill's Mother's". However, "Bill's Mother" did actually live in front of the area she was describing as a bit black. When I saw your quote I was sure you lived in Devon, but it seems not.

 

[Asa Post]

This is a genuine OMG moment. A colleague's Mother used to say the phrase "it's looking a bit black over Bill's Mother's". However, "Bill's Mother" did actually live in front of the area she was describing as a bit black. When I saw your quote I was sure you lived in Devon, but it seems not.

The internet has many suggestions for the origin of the phrase, usually linking it to a specific person or area.
The truth is much simpler. For hundreds of years, William was a very common name for boys in England. Wherever you were, whichever direction you looked, there was sure to be a Bill's mother there.