Also, most people hope to feel that their work is, if not vitally important to the world, at least meaningful. I wonder if this could be what’s turned your annoyance into disaffection. I know from your longer email that your work is far from frivolous; “rock star” and “ninja” are just that, however.

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Because just about every job in the entire world has absolutely nothing in common with feudal era Japanese espionage, the word ninja is, almost by definition, ironic. Or ironically hyperbolic. And irony is great. But as a wise primary school teacher used to tell us, “There’s a time and a place ...”

The odd whimsical euphemism or synonym might be tolerable – amusing even. But I can easily see how, after constant repetition, it could begin to seem demeaning.

It’s unlikely your boss is deliberately, insidiously attempting to undermine your credibility and confidence; they might be well-meaning. However, good intentions don’t change the fact that the joke, already overused and uncreative, doesn’t get funnier the more you tell it.

On their own, the ludicrous words may not merit your resignation. Nevertheless, if this is just one of many new ‘policies’ in a new regime that you’re not a fan of, maybe a new start could be best.

The fact you can’t quite put your finger on what frustrates you so much doesn’t mean its source doesn’t exist. Once you get a better idea of just why you’re so put off, reassess and see if your desire to exit remains as strong as it did before.

Send your Work Therapy questions to jonathan@theinkbureau.com.au

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