Everyday Office Jargon · Managing Director level

"Lipstick on a pig"

"Lipstick on a pig" means applying superficial improvements to something fundamentally flawed, where the cosmetic change does nothing to fix the underlying problem.

Say this instead: a cosmetic fix

How "Lipstick on a pig" shows up at work

The honesty in this phrase is part of its appeal. When someone says it about a redesign or a rebranded product, they are signaling they see through the effort, and they want the room to know they are not fooled.

Buzzword

Rewriting the headline is just lipstick on a pig if the product does not work.

Plain English

Rewriting the headline is just a cosmetic fix if the product does not work.

Corporate Rank: Managing Director · Category: Everyday Office Jargon

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