
“We’re looking for a collaboration with you.”
Take a seat; I’m getting on a soapbox.
As a psychologist, I’m fascinated by words.
They’re a gateway to our cognition and it intrigues me immeasurably.
(It’s why I collect words without direct translations, like Firgun.)
When people use the incorrect word – like claiming that there’s “exponential growth” of something or using “nauseous” when they mean “nauseated” – I get a little bit of rage inside.
My current pet peeve is “collaboration”.
It means the action of working with someone to produce something; to work together to create or achieve the same thing.
But, recently, it seems to have taken on a new definition: 𝐛𝐮𝐲 𝐦𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐟𝐟.
– “I specialise in CRM systems and am looking for forward-thinking partners. Would you be open to discussing collaboration?”
– “I believe there’s a fantastic opportunity for collaboration. I represent xxxx, where we specialize in .NET technologies and have developed an innovative Object Detection System”
– “I specialize in website design and WordPress customization and would like to discuss potential collaboration paths with you.”
I get it.
Cold pitches and copy-paste DMs are part and parcel of business.
But for the love of Odin’s Raven, please use the right word!
Even “𝘏𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘧𝘧. 𝘋𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘶𝘺 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘧𝘧?” is far more sincere – and it stops me having a little rage and thinking about The Princess Bride.
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