*touch base* what the heck does this mean? (m)

[northy]

ok - i know what this term means and how to use it, but i can't stand it... and for some reason i cannot think of an alternative...

i desperately need to "touch base" with an employee who is not in the office and i don't have a phone number... so i'm trying to write an email... and i want to say something other than "touch base"...

???
n

[justLaura]

You want buzzwords?


"I will circle back with Bob and find out."

or you can say 'check in,' 'get an update' or something else innocuous.

[paddylou]

LOL.. Ive always gotten the fingernails on a chalkboard

feeling from that one too.... but I googled it and it does sort of make sense..

http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_b...sages/146.html

[northy]

NO! i want english!!!!!!! ha ha ha ha...

i don't need an update and i don't want him to check in... i want to confirm that he is ok with a job assignment (even tho' he ain't being given a choice in the matter), and i want to find out when he's going to start (he may have vacation booked on the optimal start date which is fine, i just need to know)...

argh...

[paddylou]

what about just confirming?

i don't need an update and i don't want him to check in... i want to confirm that he is ok with a job assignment (even tho' he ain't being given a choice in the matter), and i want to find out when he's going to start (he may have vacation booked on the optimal start date which is fine, i just need to know)...

argh...

"I will confirm asap that he has recieved, understands and is comfortable with the assignement and has a start date set to begin work on the project." or something like that?

Or

"Will you please confirm ASAP receipt of the assignment and let me know what you think and if you have determined a start date for the project."

[northy]

heh heh... i just went totally neutral and wrote: (m)

"I just wanted to talk to you about when and how and transition"...

i realize that it sounds like rotten english, but i meant for the "when" and "how" and the "transition" to be 3 separate topics for discussion...

but tx for the suggestions!
n

[northy]

funny update... (m)

so the guy i was trying to get in touch with me called and had to leave me a message as i was out of my office dealing with ceiling leaks (don't ask)...

his message was "tx for calling, give me a call back at {phone number} so we can touch base"...

i'm still giggling...

[paddylou]

LOL!!!! Now that is FUNNY!!!!

made me laugh out loud :-)))

so the guy i was trying to get in touch with me called and had to leave me a message as i was out of my office dealing with ceiling leaks (don't ask)...

his message was "tx for calling, give me a call back at {phone number} so we can touch base"...

i'm still giggling...