Everyday Office Jargon · Associate level

"Bells and whistles"

"Bells and whistles" refers to extra features or attractive additions that go beyond what is strictly necessary, often used to impress rather than to serve a core need.

Say this instead: extra features

How "Bells and whistles" shows up at work

Appears in two contexts: when someone is selling something (proudly listing the bells and whistles) and when someone is buying it (dismissively asking to strip the bells and whistles). Rarely used by the person who built them.

Buzzword

The basic package will cover our needs; we don't need all the bells and whistles.

Plain English

The basic package will cover our needs; we don't need all the extra features.

Corporate Rank: Associate · Category: Everyday Office Jargon

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