Corporate Entry 58 / 1011 60-second read

Bandwidth (Office Jargon)

Originally a technical term for data capacity — now misused to mean 'time' or 'capacity to do work'.

The comparisoni

✗ Wrong

I don't have the bandwidth for another project right now.

✓ Correct

I don't have the capacity / time for another project right now.

More examplesii

01

Do you have bandwidth for a 30-minute call?

Are you free for a 30-minute call?

The ruleiii

Bandwidth in tech = data transfer rate.

Tech companies started using it metaphorically and it spread to all offices. It now sounds modern but is often meaningless jargon.

Memory aidiv

Remember it like this

Ask: would a plumber say 'I don't have the bandwidth'? If not, find a clearer word.

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