The Systematic Buzz Phrase Projector

In 1968, Newsweek magazine published a short, but humorous article, "How to Win at Wordsmanship." It described the "Systematic Buzz Phrase Projector," a concept developed by Philip Broughton, a (then) 63 year old worker in the US Public Health Service. Broughton's system uses this three-column list of 30 cleverly chosen buzzwords.

To use the SBPP, just make up a 3 digit number and then choose the numbered buzzword from each column. So, if you chose 031, you would get Integrated Reciprocal Flexibility (IRF). Try it for yourself.

The idea was to drop these random buzz phrase nuggets into conversation or technical reports. Broughton said "No one will have the remotest idea of what you are talking about, but the important thing is that they're not about to admit it."

Even after 37 years, they still sound amazingly jargon-like, don't they? Enjoy!

Column 1 0. integrated 1. total 2. systematized 3. parallel 4. functional 5. responsive 6. optional 7. synchronized 8. compatible 9. balanced

Column 2 0. management 1. organizational 2. monitored 3. reciprocal 4. digital 5. logistical 6. transitional 7. incremental 8. third-generation 9. policy

Column 3 0. options 1. flexibility 2. capability 3. mobility 4. programming 5. concept 6. time-phase 7. projection 8. hardware 9. contingency