What Do Seagulls, Catamarans And Campers Have In Common?

Terminology, jargon and nicknames are the vital organs that keep groups who share unique experiences going. Listen in on conversations amongst surfers, bankers, war veterans, or kindergartners, and you will hear common language that is often bent, morphed and invented becoming expert tools central to the tribe achieving its goals. The more extreme the events these groups face, the more interesting and meaningful the jargon becomes.

In the February 16, 2014 New York Times, Ben Schott polled nearly 20 Manhattan bars and lounges, bringing to light a mere shot glass of the jargon used by their staff as they engage in heroic battles of dealing with the dining public.

If you thought you knew what a 'Dairy Queen', 'Pharmacist' or 'Book Club' was, you would only be half-right. And you will learn a bar is the one place you don't want to be called a 'Warren Buffet'. A few terms not found in the article that Coyle's founder and President, Jim Coyle learned in restaurants and still uses today (with love):

• In the Weeds: Any restaurant worker who was overwhelmed by their tasks.
• Seagull: A server who eats food remnants from customers' plates.                                                        
• Catamaran: Someone who doesn't tip (catamarans don't tip over).                                                            
• Campers: Guests who linger at a table for WAY too long.                                                                                            
• All Day: The total amount (e.g., if table 6 orders two orders of steak and table 11 orders three orders of steak, that's "five steak, all day.")

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