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Coworker Vs. Colleague

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  • C Colin Angus Mackay

    I've noticed in recent posts the use of the word "coworker"? Where did this come from? And, what is wrong with "colleague"? :confused: Really... I can understand some words being phased out in favour of more gender neutral varieties, for instance, when I was a child the people that put out fires were called "firemen" now they are "fire fighters". Examples like those I can understand, but I really don't understand what this modern obsession of calling the people you work with "coworkers" is. [Edit] Is it just me? Am I getting old? (or crazy?) [/Edit] --Colin Mackay--

    EuroCPian Spring 2004 Get Together[^] "You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want." --Zig Ziglar

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    peterchen
    wrote on last edited by
    #3

    For me, Collegue is more the old-world european version, also carrying the notion that you actually have social bonds with the oeple you spend 40+ hrs a week with. Coworker seems more US-ish, and sounds more like a replacable droid you couldn't care less about. (If you conclude that I said US Americans treat their co's a droids, and europeans hug them all day, you are a zealot and have a pimple on your nose)


    And you want to travel with her And you want to travel blind .
    mlog || Agile Programming | doxygen

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    • C Colin Angus Mackay

      I've noticed in recent posts the use of the word "coworker"? Where did this come from? And, what is wrong with "colleague"? :confused: Really... I can understand some words being phased out in favour of more gender neutral varieties, for instance, when I was a child the people that put out fires were called "firemen" now they are "fire fighters". Examples like those I can understand, but I really don't understand what this modern obsession of calling the people you work with "coworkers" is. [Edit] Is it just me? Am I getting old? (or crazy?) [/Edit] --Colin Mackay--

      EuroCPian Spring 2004 Get Together[^] "You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want." --Zig Ziglar

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      Chris Meech
      wrote on last edited by
      #4

      Well, I use 'coworker' for the ones at work who actually work, but I use 'colleague' for the ones at work who do didly sqaut. You know, the guys over in marketing and sales. :) Chris Meech We're more like a hobbiest in a Home Depot drooling at all the shiny power tools, rather than a craftsman that makes the chair to an exacting level of comfort by measuring the customer's butt. Marc Clifton VB is like a toolbox, in the hands of a craftsman, you can end up with some amazing stuff, but without the skills to use it right you end up with Homer Simpson's attempt at building a barbeque or his attempt at a Spice rack. Michael P. Butler

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      • C Colin Angus Mackay

        I've noticed in recent posts the use of the word "coworker"? Where did this come from? And, what is wrong with "colleague"? :confused: Really... I can understand some words being phased out in favour of more gender neutral varieties, for instance, when I was a child the people that put out fires were called "firemen" now they are "fire fighters". Examples like those I can understand, but I really don't understand what this modern obsession of calling the people you work with "coworkers" is. [Edit] Is it just me? Am I getting old? (or crazy?) [/Edit] --Colin Mackay--

        EuroCPian Spring 2004 Get Together[^] "You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want." --Zig Ziglar

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        Roger Wright
        wrote on last edited by
        #5

        Colleague has connotations of equality, implying that your coworker is your equal. Coworker, on the other hand, evokes an image of cow orking; whatever orking is, it's certain to be naughty and unsanitary, and consistent with our opinions of those in the office who tend to interrupt our naps. Heard in Bullhead City - "You haven't lost your girl -
        you've just lost your turn..." [sigh] So true...

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        • C Colin Angus Mackay

          I've noticed in recent posts the use of the word "coworker"? Where did this come from? And, what is wrong with "colleague"? :confused: Really... I can understand some words being phased out in favour of more gender neutral varieties, for instance, when I was a child the people that put out fires were called "firemen" now they are "fire fighters". Examples like those I can understand, but I really don't understand what this modern obsession of calling the people you work with "coworkers" is. [Edit] Is it just me? Am I getting old? (or crazy?) [/Edit] --Colin Mackay--

          EuroCPian Spring 2004 Get Together[^] "You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want." --Zig Ziglar

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          Adam Wimsatt
          wrote on last edited by
          #6

          Coworker is just eaiser to spel! And I knead all the hep I can git. My code isn't buggy. Those are all fleatures.

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          • C Chris Meech

            Well, I use 'coworker' for the ones at work who actually work, but I use 'colleague' for the ones at work who do didly sqaut. You know, the guys over in marketing and sales. :) Chris Meech We're more like a hobbiest in a Home Depot drooling at all the shiny power tools, rather than a craftsman that makes the chair to an exacting level of comfort by measuring the customer's butt. Marc Clifton VB is like a toolbox, in the hands of a craftsman, you can end up with some amazing stuff, but without the skills to use it right you end up with Homer Simpson's attempt at building a barbeque or his attempt at a Spice rack. Michael P. Butler

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            Stephane Rodriguez
            wrote on last edited by
            #7

            Same in France. Colleague is a very pejorative word about those working with you.


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            • A Adam Wimsatt

              Coworker is just eaiser to spel! And I knead all the hep I can git. My code isn't buggy. Those are all fleatures.

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              Tim Smith
              wrote on last edited by
              #8

              No Chit. Tim Smith I'm going to patent thought. I have yet to see any prior art.

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              • R Roger Wright

                Colleague has connotations of equality, implying that your coworker is your equal. Coworker, on the other hand, evokes an image of cow orking; whatever orking is, it's certain to be naughty and unsanitary, and consistent with our opinions of those in the office who tend to interrupt our naps. Heard in Bullhead City - "You haven't lost your girl -
                you've just lost your turn..." [sigh] So true...

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                Michael A Barnhart
                wrote on last edited by
                #9

                Roger Wright wrote: Colleague has connotations of equality Roger Wright wrote: Coworker, on the other hand I agree with Rogers terms and am opposite to what Chris presents. A Colleague is one of equality and supports the same focus. Many co-workers are my Colleague but definitly not all. I also would include say Roger as a colleage but not a co-worker. I generally say co-worker to imply ones that do not rate to be my colleagues. But can not say it is exclusively so. Yes to be politically correct we carry a number of minimal capability resources. :sigh: "Don't be so anti-american, would you? KaЯl (to Paul Watson on Baseball Bats) 26 Nov '03 "

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                • C Colin Angus Mackay

                  I've noticed in recent posts the use of the word "coworker"? Where did this come from? And, what is wrong with "colleague"? :confused: Really... I can understand some words being phased out in favour of more gender neutral varieties, for instance, when I was a child the people that put out fires were called "firemen" now they are "fire fighters". Examples like those I can understand, but I really don't understand what this modern obsession of calling the people you work with "coworkers" is. [Edit] Is it just me? Am I getting old? (or crazy?) [/Edit] --Colin Mackay--

                  EuroCPian Spring 2004 Get Together[^] "You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want." --Zig Ziglar

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                  brianwelsch
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #10

                  Co-worker is used because it contains the common word 'worker'. People can figure out what it means, if they didn't know before. colleague, sounds like a vegatable, which, while accurately describing some co-workers, opens the door for problematic communication. Let's say you're an idiot, and I say, "I'm going for a beer with a colleague". You might stand in confusion at the thought of me at the pub with a sack of some brussel sprouts. Had I said co-worker, it would all be clear. BW CP Member Homepages


                  "...take what you need and leave the rest..."

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                  • M Michael A Barnhart

                    Roger Wright wrote: Colleague has connotations of equality Roger Wright wrote: Coworker, on the other hand I agree with Rogers terms and am opposite to what Chris presents. A Colleague is one of equality and supports the same focus. Many co-workers are my Colleague but definitly not all. I also would include say Roger as a colleage but not a co-worker. I generally say co-worker to imply ones that do not rate to be my colleagues. But can not say it is exclusively so. Yes to be politically correct we carry a number of minimal capability resources. :sigh: "Don't be so anti-american, would you? KaЯl (to Paul Watson on Baseball Bats) 26 Nov '03 "

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                    Colin Angus Mackay
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #11

                    Michael A. Barnhart wrote: A Colleague is one of equality and supports the same focus. Many co-workers are my Colleague but definitly not all. I also would include say Roger as a colleage but not a co-worker. I generally say co-worker to imply ones that do not rate to be my colleagues. This is the best definition I've got. The dictionary definitions: Dictionary.com wrote: colleague n 1: an associate you work with n 2: a person who is member of your class or profession co-worker n : an associate you work with --Colin Mackay--

                    EuroCPian Spring 2004 Get Together[^] "You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want." --Zig Ziglar

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                    • B brianwelsch

                      Co-worker is used because it contains the common word 'worker'. People can figure out what it means, if they didn't know before. colleague, sounds like a vegatable, which, while accurately describing some co-workers, opens the door for problematic communication. Let's say you're an idiot, and I say, "I'm going for a beer with a colleague". You might stand in confusion at the thought of me at the pub with a sack of some brussel sprouts. Had I said co-worker, it would all be clear. BW CP Member Homepages


                      "...take what you need and leave the rest..."

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                      Colin Angus Mackay
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #12

                      brianwelsch wrote: Let's say you're an idiot, and I say, "I'm going for a beer with a colleague". You might stand in confusion at the thought of me at the pub with a sack of some brussel sprouts. :laugh::laugh::laugh: --Colin Mackay--

                      EuroCPian Spring 2004 Get Together[^] "You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want." --Zig Ziglar

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                      • C Colin Angus Mackay

                        I've noticed in recent posts the use of the word "coworker"? Where did this come from? And, what is wrong with "colleague"? :confused: Really... I can understand some words being phased out in favour of more gender neutral varieties, for instance, when I was a child the people that put out fires were called "firemen" now they are "fire fighters". Examples like those I can understand, but I really don't understand what this modern obsession of calling the people you work with "coworkers" is. [Edit] Is it just me? Am I getting old? (or crazy?) [/Edit] --Colin Mackay--

                        EuroCPian Spring 2004 Get Together[^] "You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want." --Zig Ziglar

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                        Ray Cassick
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #13

                        To me there is a difference between the two: Co-worker - Another person that works at the same place I do. Colleague - A person that I work closely with (same group / project, etc…) that I consider a direct peer.


                        Paul Watson wrote: "At the end of the day it is what you produce that counts, not how many doctorates you have on the wall." George Carlin wrote: "Don't sweat the petty things, and don't pet the sweaty things." Jörgen Sigvardsson wrote: If the physicists find a universal theory describing the laws of universe, I'm sure the asshole constant will be an integral part of that theory.


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                        • C Colin Angus Mackay

                          I've noticed in recent posts the use of the word "coworker"? Where did this come from? And, what is wrong with "colleague"? :confused: Really... I can understand some words being phased out in favour of more gender neutral varieties, for instance, when I was a child the people that put out fires were called "firemen" now they are "fire fighters". Examples like those I can understand, but I really don't understand what this modern obsession of calling the people you work with "coworkers" is. [Edit] Is it just me? Am I getting old? (or crazy?) [/Edit] --Colin Mackay--

                          EuroCPian Spring 2004 Get Together[^] "You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want." --Zig Ziglar

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                          Gary Wheeler
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #14

                          I prefer 'co-serf' or 'co-slave' myself. I understand John Simmons is always on the lookout for 'co-bitches'.


                          Software Zen: delete this;

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                          • C Colin Angus Mackay

                            I've noticed in recent posts the use of the word "coworker"? Where did this come from? And, what is wrong with "colleague"? :confused: Really... I can understand some words being phased out in favour of more gender neutral varieties, for instance, when I was a child the people that put out fires were called "firemen" now they are "fire fighters". Examples like those I can understand, but I really don't understand what this modern obsession of calling the people you work with "coworkers" is. [Edit] Is it just me? Am I getting old? (or crazy?) [/Edit] --Colin Mackay--

                            EuroCPian Spring 2004 Get Together[^] "You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want." --Zig Ziglar

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                            jeff_martin
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #15

                            I use them as... colleague - a fellow developer/DBA/etc. Someone in the same field as I am. co-worker - someone who works at the same office/company I do.

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                            • R Roger Wright

                              Colleague has connotations of equality, implying that your coworker is your equal. Coworker, on the other hand, evokes an image of cow orking; whatever orking is, it's certain to be naughty and unsanitary, and consistent with our opinions of those in the office who tend to interrupt our naps. Heard in Bullhead City - "You haven't lost your girl -
                              you've just lost your turn..." [sigh] So true...

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                              NetDave
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #16

                              From Dictonary.com ork Orc \Orc\, n. [L. orca: cf. F. orque.] (Zo["o]l.) The grampus. [Written also ork and orch.] --Milton. and grampus \Gram"pus\, n.; pl. Grampuses. [Probably corrupted from It. gran pesce great fish, or Sp. gran pez, or Pg. gran peixe, all fr. L. grandis piscis. See Grand, and Fish. the animal.] 1. (Zo["o]l.) A toothed delphinoid cetacean, of the genus Grampus, esp. G. griseus of Europe and America, which is valued for its oil. It grows to be fifteen to twenty feet long; its color is gray with white streaks. Called also cowfish. :eek: The California grampus is G. Stearnsii. There must be some sinister relationship here between cows orking fish. QRZ? de WAØTTN

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                              • T Tim Smith

                                No Chit. Tim Smith I'm going to patent thought. I have yet to see any prior art.

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                                Rohit Sinha
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #17

                                Ya main. I lost my paper to. Regards, Rohit Sinha Browsy

                                Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person. - Mother Teresa

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