February 12–end run:  A desperate attempt to get something done without going through the Byzantine maze of approvals technically required; usually undertaken to avoid bureaucratic frustrations and test-drive one’s own power in the organization; i.e., “Is there some way we can do this without the people who are supposed to know about it knowing about it?”

February 13–Gen X/Gen Y interface:  The workplace dynamic between employees who are members of Generation X and their Generation Y colleagues; oil and water mix better; Gen Xers think the Yers are annoyingly ambitious, entitled spoiled brats; Gen Yers think Xers are bitter, washed-up buzz killers who are just trying to keep the Gen Y down.

February 14–flowers:  Fragrant tokens of affection from either a paramour or an associate who’s trying to really get on your good side; generally received by the same small group of people, who feign surprise and then, with a pronounced air of smugness and pity, parade said flowers around in front of those who never get any.

February 15–Girl Scout cookies:  Small, sweet biscuits sold to raise funds for the Girls Scouts of America that you will have no choice but to buy, because the kids of someone you’re sucking up to are selling them; reliable springtime source of empty calories and unwanted expense, in the form of Thin Mints, Trefoils, and Samoas; at least one person will really go overboard with the ass kissing and buy a dozen boxes.  (Bosses who do not push these will sell some other item, such as wrapping paper, candles, etc., on behalf of their spawn.)