Civil Service World's regular guide to the very best in Whitehallese
Work it through
Let’s work it through in another meeting and make a decision at some unspecified point after that meeting. Or the next one.
Buy-in
I need you to pretend to agree with this. As in “if we all buy into this downsizing, it will be a lot less painful.” But you still won’t have a job.
Director general
Seven extra letters tell you that this director needed some encouragement to stay on.
Comprehensive review
In contrast with a normal review, a comprehensive review will take over a year to complete before its findings are ignored.
You may wish to consider
Do the following immediately. Or else.
In due course
In a very long time, if I haven’t forgotten.
Got your own examples of Whitehallese? Email us in confidence: editorial@civilserviceworld.com