DEBRIS.COMgood for a laugh, or possibly an aneurysm

Yesterday, Cisco laid off 8000 workers.

In a move as predictable as, I don’t know, Clinton denying wrongdoing, Cisco’s PR machine has created a new term for layoff that is not only free of evil connotations, but also free of meaning: “normal involuntary attrition.”

We’ll give Cisco spokesman Tom Galvin the benefit of the doubt and assume he didn’t craft that senseless phrase in advance, but merely blurted it out in the panic of the bright lights and microphones during a regrettable announcement.

But for an entertaining and enlightened analysis, read Steve Rubenstein’s deconstruction of Cisco’s ridiculous new coinage.

(Casting doubt on my benefit, Cisco’s own press release contains a related contradiction in terms, “involuntary attrition.” Gad, why can’t they just say LAYOFF? Who are they trying to fool?)