The syntax is written like a bash shell variable, the idea (I assume) is that the actual job itself doesn't matter but the idea of it being something they do for work does (because contextually it means they have less decision power.) So, if it were me, saying I work for Puzzmo is about as useful as me saying I work for $DAYJOB in a sentence like that.

Also it’s just some HN slang. No more, no less.

Way more, actually. It likely predates HN by decades.

Yeah. Over the past (dear god) fourteen years, I've noticed approximately zero HN-unique vocabulary.

There's the proliferation of both "manager speak" and "self-help coach vocabulary", but that's (sadly) not unique to HN.

> Sorry for veering off topic.

Nah, there's no need to apologize. If folks don't want to read and/or participate in the subthread that changes the topic, then they can just fold up the subthread using the handy "fold up the subthread" button.

And yeah, with the exception of the fellow who called it "HN slang" (or whatever) the folks who replied to you all have good answers to your question.