OXFORD English Dictionary staff are appealing for people to come forward with words they use at work.

While the majority of people understand what it means to ‘hot desk’ and are familiar with the terms such as ‘you’re nicked there are vast numbers of words and phrases used by people at work that lead to blank looks from outsiders, with slang being especially hard to understand.

The OED, produced by Oxford University Press in Walton Street, already includes many terms from all kinds of trades and professions but there are many more that have not yet come to the lexicographers’ attention.

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Whether you’re a doctor or a journalist, a firefighter or a builder, a shopkeeper, teacher, plumber, marketing expert or anything else, dictionary staff want to hear bout the words and expressions used at work.

Fiona McPherson, senior editor at the OED, said: “When we use words every day at work, it’s difficult to imagine that their meanings might not be quite so obvious to other people.

“However, with such a vast array of professions and industries, it’s not surprising that certain terms from your own workplace may lead to looks of bemusement from those not in the know. Whether you have baffled others or been baffled, let us know about these words and terms from your working life.”

Last year marked 90 years since the completion of the first Oxford English Dictionary. Send in words via Twitter at #wordsatwork.