Anyone use the word 'ASK' as a noun at your work?

[Zeze]

I'm in IT- people seem to use the word 'ask' as a noun, i.e. "What is the ASK?" (meaning, what is requested of me / what are you asking of me / wtf do you want me to do?)

I wonder if this is Indian English or more IT specific. Anyone come across this?

 

[Red Storm]

I too am in IT. Never heard that before.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

I heard that being flung around by "hip" managers at FedEx c. ~2006.

Working in tech now, and it's definitely more commonly used (if not passe, even.) But if it was ever a techism or indianism, it's long since made the transition to normal business-speak.

 

[Scarpozzi]

That sounds vaguely familiar to me, but as with other non-mainstream things people say, until you think to pay attention, you don't really notice it.

Since I know most proper English words and try to use them correctly, a lot of the newer buzz words become like nails on chalkboard. The worst thing I repeatedly hear are when people use the words SALE and SELL interchangeably. There will be flyers hung up with the words, "MOTORCYCLE FOR SELL" or....craigslist will have ads stating, "I've got an oriental rug I want to sale as quick as possible..." That stuff kills me. Using ask as a noun would do very similar damage to my brain.

 

[nakedfrog]

I don't believe I've encountered this one, and have worked with a number of Indians over the last 15+ years (software development/engineering).

 

[vi edit]

Yep, I see it a lot with PM's. I work in IT and it's usually when they try and get a rough idea on the budget for a project.

"What's the ask". None of the PM's I work with are Indian. Straight up white folk.

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

Yeah I've heard that a bunch of times. Never gave it much thought.

 

[IronWing]

I've only heard it in the context of sales or trades, referring to the seller's stated price.

 

[BD231]

No .... but lately snitches of the caucasian and prostitute consortium have been using it as " fighten words "

Face punches will be issued.

 

[Fir]

Axe is a noun.

 

[Kaido]

I'm in IT- people seem to use the word 'ask' as a noun, i.e. "What is the ASK?" (meaning, what is requested of me / what are you asking of me / wtf do you want me to do?)

I wonder if this is Indian English or more IT specific. Anyone come across this?

Ahhh! I've been hearing this recently too! (mostly from people wearing BCG's) It's like the "my bad" catchphrase but for nerds! Have only heard it from geeky white guys.

My wish is to live in a world where everyone uses GTD: what's the outcome desired, what's the very next physical action? Meetings would be shorter & more productive, people would be organized, lives would changes, countries would thrive. But no. What do we have instead? "What's the ask?"

 

[shortylickens]

Request can be a noun and a verb. Why not Ask?

 

[purbeast0]

Nope, but I don't really work with any douchebags either so that could just be it.

 

[clamum]

Don't believe I've heard that before. Been working in software development in MI since 2007. Sounds about as cool as someone who has to use 'synergy' or 'leverage' in every sentence.

 

[clamum]

Nope, but I don't really work with any douchebags either so that could just be it.

LMAO. I literally just lol'd at work, thanks homie.

 

[Cozarkian]

I've heard that at a seminar where the theme was empowering women. One of the speakers explained that to achieve success, "you have to make the ask."

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I've heard that at a seminar where the theme was empowering women. One of the speakers explained that to achieve success, "you have to make the ask."

I can only hope at least one woman stood up, pointed and, laughed.

 

[Ken g6]

Next we should try to get annoying people who pronounce "ask" as "axe" to tell their bosses to "give me the ask".

 

[Fern]

I've heard "ask" used as a noun before, although it was phrased something like "that's a pretty big ask". Meaning some request, e.g., vacation time or sales price, was on the aggressive/excessive or generous side.

Fern

 

[OutHouse]

nope never heard of it and would probably bitch slap somebody who used it in my presence.

 

[pete6032]

You mean using the word ask instead of a word like "request?" Yes I hear that occasionally.

 

[snoopy7548]

Never heard it used that way, but like Scarpozzi I hate newer slang. Lately I've been seeing a lot of people online dropping "to be" from sentences. Instead of saying, "My video card need to be replaced" they'll say, "My video card needs replaced." Always makes me go WTF? And sometimes people use "payed" instead of "paid."

 

[Red Squirrel]

That sounds condescending actually, and kind of annoying. Though not as annoying as people who send tickets that say "Can't print" with absolutely no other details.

 

[Kaido]

Next we should try to get annoying people who pronounce "ask" as "axe" to tell their bosses to "give me the ask".

 

[Zeze]

Just to follow up, I'm in IT with tons of Indians, but I heard it always from non-Indians.

It's not used in finance context (what's the 'ask'ing price). It's used for all requests, i.e. "the ask is for you to rerun this claim", "my ask is that you add this radio button and 2 columns."