1 Nov 2009
The Chief Executive, fresh from Reykjavik
This one always makes me smile. It’s just a list of management-speak gobbledegook, culled mainly from job adverts, but what’s striking about ITMA could well be how few of these terms have become quaint since 1997. I suppose most of the people who were writing business bullshit back then are still writing it today. Thanks to Rob, Sarah and Grev
See lyrics to ITMA
14 Letters Sent:
Neil G
I like the reference to Temporary Secretary by Paul McCartney. Still sounds a bit strange after all these years. [YouTube]
Nov 2nd, 2009
celery
Possibly
‘And oh-oh-oh-oh, here’s the bottom line’ instead of ‘And oh-oh-oh-oh, is the bottom line’.
Which would have to be the very definition of an unimportant correction, ho-hum.
Nov 2nd, 2009
Rob
Human Resources – capital letters are required here I think.
Nov 2nd, 2009
Charles Exford
Brilliant Neil, I had no idea about that reference – I have no recollection of EVER having heard that till now. I well remember McCartney’s previous 2 singles getting a lot of airplay that year (1980), so radio stations must have just plain ignored that one, even on Merseyside (where Radios City & Merseyside were both normally v. McCartney loyal)!!
Silver Biscuit award for Neil I’d say.
I notice that Gez on hmhb.co.uk doesn’t give any references for this one as he feels that “any explanation would defeat the object of the song,” but I do think revelations like Neil’s are _vital_, and I’m not sure if anyone but Biscuitistas of a certain age, for example will be sure what “ITA” refers to
(the “Initial Teaching Alphabet” which most but not all British kids suffered at infant schools in the 1960s, and which you occasionally hear people say very bitter things about, scapegoating it for poor spelling in later life). There are about a dozen things that the musical archaeologists of the future, rersearching into the greatest lyricist who ebver lived (a fact that onew feels will be acknowledged, but not in our lifetimes) might think ITA could stand for, but I want to put it on record here that there is no doubt in my mind.
As someone who still wrote e-mails to the “Personnel” department over a decade and a half after after it changed its name (especially while in dspute over redundancy terms), I would like to say who cares if HR gets capital letters, but of course you’re right Rob, cos NB is quoting from job adverts where it would presumably have them.
And Celery – how is that unimportant ? It’s major, well spotted. I would just have read it as “here’s” anyway if you hadn’t pointed it out.
Nov 3rd, 2009
Third rate Les in his Burberry fez
I reckon ITA refers to the Independent Television Authority.
Nov 3rd, 2009
Neil G
Here is a selection of ITAs from a quick search:
Institute of Transactional Analysis
International Trombone Association
International Technology Alliance
International Trade Administration
International Tennis Academy
Industry Training Authority
International Titanium Association.
There are many more – 74 million results – but I think, given the context, that Independent Television Authority is a lot more likely than Initial Teaching Alphabet. (It pains me to say it, Charles, after the accolade from you).
Nov 3rd, 2009
Charles Exford
I knew you’d say that. But for those of us who suffered ITA in the Wirral E.A. when we started school in 1968….
Nov 4th, 2009
Squirrel Nuts
“ITA” was nineties slang for “in the area”. Remember crusty/rap outfit Blaggers ITA? That is, blaggers (beggars basically) at large in the vicinity.
Dec 14th, 2009
Peter Gandy
@Squirrel Nuts – didn’t they beat up a Jeff Dreadnought type from the NME after a particularly bad review?
Dec 14th, 2009
Mr Larrington
“In July 1993, frontman Matty Blagg allegedly punched Melody Maker writer Dave Simpson, resulting in a court case which was dismissed on legal technicalities. The incident led to the cancellation of many of the band’s biggest supporting tours and festival slots, as well as an effective boycott by the music press. Shortly after being dropped by EMI in 1994, Blagg left the band, which continued without him for a short while. Blagg died in February 2000.”
Doesn’t say /why/ he twatted the journo, though.
Dec 15th, 2009
Chris Wheelie
Quite simply, ‘cos Matty Blag was a stroppy bugger.
I came that close to the receiving end of The Blaggers’ frontman’s fist when I put them on in Plymouth that same year. All because the bad-tempered blighter couldn’t comprehend that their tour booking agent didn’t know his crashpad from his soundcheck and, in true anti-Kipling fashion, was blaming it all upon me. I never thought I’d ever say this but, in this one instance, I find my sympatheties with the muso journo. The shame.
It was also because Dave Simpson told Blag he believed people who beat up fascists were as bad as fascists themselves. Not averse to a bit of healthy debate was our Matty.
Dec 19th, 2009
Jim Poole
Celery reckons:
“And oh-oh-oh-oh, here’s the bottom line’ instead of ‘And oh-oh-oh-oh, is the bottom line’.”
I always thought of it as 0 0 0 0 (as in £00.00) is the bottom line… i.e. end of the receipt / bottom line of spreadsheet kind of reference…
Say it as I thunk it…
Mar 12th, 2010
Richard Lovell
‘Filter more communication’? – I always had this as ‘Field Support Communication’.
Mar 18th, 2010
Chris The Siteowner
Very good Richard – I think that’s much more likely.
Mar 18th, 2010
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