'Moofing' a sign of the times

CHICAGO, Jan. 6 (UPI) -- You may not know what "moofing" is, but the slang for "mobile out of office" is becoming increasingly useful in today's United States workplace.

Originally coined by British business manager James McCarthy, the term "moof" has caught on in a big way in many major U.S. cities, where mobile devices allow workers to remain active wherever they go, the Chicago Tribune said Sunday.

But while office workers and even busy parents attest to the value of moofing, McCarthy warns that being busy while on the go does not directly equate with being productive.

"You can miss out on office connections and relationships," he told the Tribune. "And some days, it can be difficult to concentrate, wherever you are located. Moofing doesn't always mean you'll be more productive at any one time."

But in a world of rush-hour traffic to and from work, along with tight cubicles and office chatter, McCarthy said some moofing can do wonders for certain individuals.